ABSTRACT
The quality of product and process development activities will have a significant impact on shop floor management. As a result, it is important that manufacturing is involved early in the development process since production system stability and capability depend on it. Methodologies such as design for manufacturing, design for six sigma, and the development of a failure modes and effects analysis help to reinforce a manufacturing optimization and excellence mindset. The primary objective of these product development techniques is to reduce the impact of “noise” factors (sources of variation) that can significantly disrupt a process from delivering a quality product, on time, to customer requirements. A lack of product stability can wreak havoc on the manufacturing floor. In essence, the voice of manufacturing needs to be heard, early and often, during the development process.
