Material Control

Abstract

Flexible assembly systems are required to operate at the highest feasible productivity. Their primary function is to turn purchased raw material and components into value added goods. The output is dependent upon two associated facts. These are: (i) the materials and components must be present and correct for their conversion, and (ii) in order that the product’s quality can be assured, these purchased items must be of the correct quality themselves. The prime cost of a product depends upon the amount of consumable materials used and the cost of all purchased materials used in the assembled product. Too much consumable material or too high a quality grade of material will escalate the true cost of that product, and reduce the profit level. In short, material control is an important aspect of the FAS.