Specifies the send-ahead quantity. The send ahead quantity is the movement of a portion of a lot of material to a subsequent operation before completion of the current operation for all units of the lot. The purpose of sending material ahead is to reduce the manufacturing lead-time. The next operation is started when the send ahead quantity is produced.

Use the following formula to calculate the send-ahead quantity: Start of the next operation = setup time + send ahead quantity * run time + wait time + move time + queue time (at next operation).

Example:

If 10 parts have been determined as a send-ahead quantity, the next operation can begin when these 10 parts have been finished in the actual operation.

Start of the next operation = 10 minutes setup time + (10 pieces * 5 minutes run time) + 5 minutes wait time

As a result, the next operation can be started 65 minutes after the actual operation starts.

Tip

See Also