Evaluating product lines

Below, the procedure for the determination of dominant campaigns in a version that was proposed by Lazaro et al. (1989) is outlined. Their methodology includes enumeration of feasible production sequences, selection of dominant production lines, task sequencing, and search for an optimum with constraints. All possible production variants are generated by an enumeration procedure that takes into account the possibility of available equipment working in parallel, initial and final task overlapping, and instability of intermediate products. Non-feasible sequences are eliminated so that only favourable candidates are subjected to full evaluation. Dominant production lines are selected by maximizing the criterion ... 

After the evaluation of the performance of the different catalysts prepared in laboratory and pilot scale, a few candidates are selected for a full-scale test production. The main purpose is to demonstrate that the production steps shown in Fig. 8 are feasible for the new catalyst and that a uniform and satisfactory product quality can be achieved at an acceptable production rate in the existing production line. 

Evaluate areas for focusing improvement efforts for a specific product line ... 

Solid oral dosage forms containing new chemical entities (NCEs) are commonly formulated into tablets or capsules as their first market image formulation. Subsequent drug product line extension development on these NCEs may evaluate more specialized drug delivery systems. Dissolution testing of standard oral tablets or capsules will commonly utilize the paddle or basket apparatus. In this chapter we focus primarily on the development and subsequent validation of dissolution testing methods that use these two devices. 

The major hazard that can occur in the high-pressure polyethylene process is a runaway of the reactor and decomposition of ethylene as well as fires, explosion, and disintegration of high-pressure parts. Although the last incidents are well understood, the reasons for runaway and ethylene decomposition have been evaluated only recently. Experience over twenty years has shown that decomposition mostly takes place in the reactor and in the high-pressure separator, but decompositions have also been reported from ethylene-feed and product lines. 

In addition to this general approach to exploring the solution space, the model can also be used to evaluate individual configuration options such as plant expansions, construction of new plants or closure of existing plants. For questions like "what happens if we close a production line at site X" the model has to provide recommendations on where to relocate affected products and calculate the economic impact of the decision. Depending on the critical success factors of the business ("order winning cri-... 

Complaints related to the quality of the product should also be evaluated. Complaint trends should be reviewed for evidence that recurring problems have been adequately resolved. The complaint trends should be examined for any correlation to the other quality systems. For example, any correlation between complaints and deviations related to the same lot or product line or any-increase (or lack of a decrease) in complaints after a corrective action has been made should be revealed and addressed during the APR process. 

It is recommended that in an effort to prevent recalls, firms periodically evaluate manufacturing deviation trends within the context of their unique product lines, circumstances, and environments, with the aim of establishing criteria (other than product failure) that would justify not releasing product into market or withholding until further assessment. 

The main component of this type of developmental work is a detailed evaluation of the manufacturing processes used to make the company s products. The targets are therefore derived from discussions within the company after considering the economic climate in which the derived products and business must perform and, importantly, how customers view the current product line or ranges. The benefits that are being sought from process development work are ... 

Essentially, the one-dimensional system comprises a photo-electrical transformer in which reflected and transmitted light are collected by lenses and converted into electrical signals. A surface defect results in a light level different from that of the normal signal and as evaluation can be rapid such methods are suitable for assessing faults arising, for example, on fast-moving production lines for film. 

Test specimens such as those mentioned above are often used to verify the quality of the first article through the production line and then to periodically test articles for conformance. This type of testing procedure detects discrepancies affecting the entire lot of parts, but it cannot evaluate factors that affect individual joints or specific areas within a particular joint. 

Therefore, nearly all manufacturers of agglomeration equipment maintain rather elaborate laboratories, often with large scale equipment to avoid scale-up problems. These test facilities must also include peripheral equipment such as mixers, driers, heaters, crushers, screens, etc. For cost reasons, in most cases no continuous operation of an entire production line is possible. To simulate expected plant characteristics, a certain amount of fines may be recycled to the agglomeration unit. The amount and typical size consist of the recycle stream will be determined and, after simulated production, will be mixed with the fresh feed to evaluate the influence of this feed component on projected plant performance. 

Evaluation of life cycle costs of a product, product line, process, system or facility by identifying environmental consequences and assigning a monetary value to these consequences... 

For cost reasons, even if only a limited selection of process equipment is used, simulating the continuous operation of an entire production line is normally not possible during testing. In those cases where in the actual plant recycle will be produced and returned in one way or another, product is first made from the fresh feed during its evaluation, the expected type of recyclate is produced, and, for further testing, the anticipated amount is mixed with the fresh feed or other material streams, such as, for example, the crusher or screen feeds, to simulate the conditions in a continuously operating system. Installation of a pilot plant on-site and/or in-line should be considered if the risks that are always connected with new installations, are to be minimized. 

In addition to resin development it was necessary to build a mock-up production line, to design spacing devices, to evaluate heaters, to recommend an automatic dispenser, to purchase and modify this equipment, and to put on laboratory demonstrations exhibiting the mass production feasibility of the resin system. Then, when the time came for in-plant trials, equipment setup and operation, and evaluation of the end product required similar mutually benefiting cooperation. Today we have a product, D.E.R. 741, and some of your television sets have a new look this year. This could not have happened if the several companies had not had many technical service tools to do the job. 

Evaluate pilot line performance and estimate pilot and mass bipolar plate production costs... 

You have to determine (a) formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in 50 samples of white wine per day (b) 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in white powder samples which might be potential material in making bombs—3 to 5 samples per month (c) copper content in a rare Etruscan vase (d) a toxic keto compound in an antibiotic, the analysis being done in a production-line quality-control laboratory in a pharmaceutical company. In which cases and why would you use a standard-addition method and when would you use a calibration curve for evaluating current-versus-voltage curves ... 

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