A aplicação das leis de factory physics em sistemas de produção: proposição de um método via design research

Abstract

This dissertation presents a method proposal for Factory Physics laws application, which is a philosophy proposed by Hopp and Spearman (2000), to improve production systems. The method’s objective is solve production systems problems using a application of these laws presented on Factory Physics philosophy, from a systematic viewpoint, starting with the production problems classification by performance objectives perspective, proposed by Slack (1993). The research methodology adopted is based on Design Research, which is structured by five steps: (i) awareness of problem; (ii) suggestion; (iii) artifact’s development; (iv) artifact’s evaluation; and (v) conclusion. The work method was planned with thirteen work stages, where were developed three versions of the method proposed, because of the successive refinements, proposed by Design Research methodology, in order to develop (good) artifacts. To research basement, the theoretical reference present themes like production systems, technical approaches, techniques for mapping and improvement implementation, systems modeling, and a deep bibliography revision about Factory Physics, and after that is made a presentation of the elements developed to the method, using these concepts, presented earlier. This dissertation refrains to make a method’s (artifact’s) presentation, refined after three development cycles according research method, without a validation pretension, leaving this task for future researches. Regarding Design Research methodology, this dissertation seeks for a contribution in this sense, presenting a critical analysis of its use for researches in Production Engineering. After all, the results of this dissertation includes, besides the proposed method for Factory Physics Laws Application, in order to promote improvements on production systems from the philosophy proposed by Hopp and Spearman (2000), the knowledge and artifacts generated in this research effort.