3 credits
Summer 2025 Distance Learning Lecture Upper Division
This course provides perspectives on materials processing and product innovation with an economic lens on efficiency and elimination of waste. It includes an historical perspective of manufacturing via the transition from mass to lean production in the automotive industry; and extends manufacturing and product development in context of emerging trends in automation (e.g., control and PAT, I4.0), modular design, supply chain, and sustainability. The class covers lean tools, focusing on value stream analyses and optimization using simulations. As an elective, the course accommodates a range of student interest profiles. It includes both individual and interest-based group assignments. The mix of students adds to the effectiveness of group exercises. A term paper enables individuals to do a deeper dive into specific interests. Overall, the course has shown to be adaptable over a broad range of students representing a variety of departments and professional backgrounds.
Learning Outcomes1Understand the distinction between Mass Production and Lean Manufacturing and to analyze a facility's progress in the transition from Mass to Lean.
2Articulate a case for Lean. Students will be able to present an argument on why Lean is a superior environment to Mass.
3Compare and contrast the culture, organizational structure and leadership in Mass and Lean environments.
4List and describe the Types of Waste and why waste elimination is a core component of Lean Manufacturing.
5List and describe lean functionality (i.e., quality, continuous flow, pull systems, 5S, Visual Control, Task Planning, etc.).
6Articulate why the "Rules in Use" were a breakthrough in understanding the Toyota Production System.
7Develop a Value Stream Map of a manufacturing process, and explore optimization thereof using simulations and economic models, including options to mitigate changing conditions or uncertainty.
8Understand A3 methodology and create an A3 proposal having economic justifications.
9Understand the similarities and differences between Lean Manufacturing and Product Development.
10Complete a Matrix exercise. An individual deep-dive survey of a specific interest selected by each student, and a group exercise to synthesize and present elements of individual surveys clustered by topical area.
Restrictions
GPA by professor
made by Purdue students.