Capacity configuration

Consider contexts when capacity decisions have to be made in advance of demand realization. In the apparel industry, capacity has to be chosen eight to twelve months ahead of demand. In the auto industry, plans for capacity configurations at plants are made several years in advance. For infrastructure decisions, such as highway construction, decisions may be made fifteen to twenty years in advance. In a just-in-time delivery context, decisions may be made four hours in advance ([52]). Clearly the main question is the extent of demand uncertainty when decisions are made and the consequences of having an inadequate level of capacity. In addition, if the capacity decision maker is different from the information provider, incentive effects have to be considered. Hence the need for coordination agreements (as discussed in Chapter 5). However, the availability of alternate sources of capacity, albeit at a higher cost, can relieve the pressure to commit to capacity in advance. 

Thus, even though the benefits of pooling capacity have been sacrificed, the supply chain benefits from the increased productivity of the specialized capacity. Therefore, even though capacity pooling increases potential access to capacity, the associated mix of tasks to be done at pooled locations may affect the supply of capacity available and thus worsen system performance. In other words, capacity configurations have to balance the benefits of pooling with the benefits of splitting capacity. 

The purpose of this section is to highlight the hnk between plant capacity configuration and the consequent impact on customer order lead time. Once the linkage is understood, the next step is to find a way to restructure capacity to improve lead time performance. 

Notice that in this example, adjustments in capacity impacted both the lead time at the manufacturer as well as the consequent buffer inventory at the retailer. In addition, changing the capacity configuration and lowering the set-up time also decreased the incentive to batch as well as the system inventory and lead time. 

What do all these alternative capacity configurations surest All along, if we carry excess capacity, we can avail of these opportunities as they arise. The extra capacity does not have to remain idle it needs to remain flexible so that it can be used when conditions are right. This example shows how excess capacity in a global supply chain provides a real option that can be exercised as business conditions unfold. Eliminating excess capacity will reduce the options available to operate a global supply chain. 

Now with a sling angle of 60°, the sling capacity configuration with two slings would be from Eq. 6.4 ... 

Products that are relatively inexpensive and do not change much exhibit stable demands. They are also known as functional products. At the other extreme are products that evolve rapidly due to new technology and/or new composition, positioned for volatile demand, and are expensive. They are known as innovative products, and companies need to be very responsive to customer needs to remain competitive in such products. As Fisher (1997) points out, the stmctuie and operations of supply chains for innovative products need to be markedly different from those of functional products in terms of inventory positioning and replenishment, capacity configuration, logistics contracts, information sharing, and collaboration. 

Malhotra, A., Gasain, S., El Sawy, O. A. (2005). Absorptive capacity configurations in supply chains Gearing for partner-enabled market knowledge creation. MIS Quarterly, 29(1), 145-187. 

The BF4 ion has a regular tetrahedral configuration. The most important property of boron trifluoride is its great capacity to act as an electron pair acceptor (Lewis acid). Some examples of adducts are ... 

Although the chiral recognition mechanism of these cyclodexttin-based phases is not entirely understood, thermodynamic and column capacity studies indicate that the analytes may interact with the functionalized cyclodextrins by either associating with the outside or mouth of the cyclodextrin, or by forming a more traditional inclusion complex with the cyclodextrin (122). As in the case of the metal-complex chiral stationary phase, configuration assignment is generally not possible in the absence of pure chiral standards. 

A large selection of load cells is available in a variety of configurations and materials with capacities from 0.5 kg to 100 t or more Ease of installation load cells can be used individually or cormected in parallel for multiple load-ceU appHcations... 

When the mass transfer 2one is a major portion of an adsorbent bed, the equiHbrium capacity is poorly utilized. A lead—trim configuration uses the adsorbent mote fuUy. The feed flows successively through a lead bed and then a trim bed. The lead bed is neatly exhausted before it is taken out of service to be regenerated. When a lead bed is removed from adsorption, the trim bed becomes the lead, and a fuUy regenerated bed becomes the new trim bed. 

The capacity of any specific tank configuration, in terms of metric ton equivalents, is deterrnined by one of three parameters. (/) The solubiHty of waste salts. Precipitates can settle and cause thermal hot spots, which in turn can result in accelerated corrosion rates. Thus it is important to maintain the... 

Cell geometry, such as tab/terminal positioning and battery configuration, strongly influence primary current distribution. The monopolar constmction is most common. Several electrodes of the same polarity may be connected in parallel to increase capacity. The current production concentrates near the tab connections unless special care is exercised in designing the current collector. Bipolar constmction, wherein the terminal or collector of one cell serves as the anode and cathode of the next cell in pile formation, leads to gready improved uniformity of current distribution. Several representations are available to calculate the current distribution across the geometric electrode surface (46—50). 

Expansion Joints All the foregoing applies to stiff piping systems, i.e., systems without expansion joints (see detail 1 of Fig. 10-169). When space hmitations, process requirements, or other considerations result in configurations of insufficient flexibihty, capacity... 

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