What Is the Production Level?
The production level represents the operational foundation of industrial manufacturing, where the physical transformation of raw materials into finished products takes place. It forms the fundamental layer of the manufacturing hierarchy and integrates all production-relevant processes and systems.
Systemic Structure
The production level encompasses several integrated components:
Physical Infrastructure:
- Production equipment and machinery systems
- Material flow systems and logistics facilities
- Quality assurance stations
- Tooling and fixture systems
Control Architecture:
- Machine controls (PLC)
- Process control systems
- Quality monitoring systems
- Material flow control
Operational Integration
The systematic integration of the production level is achieved through:
Hierarchical Embedding:
- Vertical integration with higher-level planning systems
- Horizontal networking of production units
- Systematic process coordination
- Real-time-based control concepts
Technological Framework
Modern production levels implement:
Digital Infrastructure:
- Industrial IoT sensors
- Edge Computing systems
- Real-time monitoring platforms
- Digital process control
Performance Management
Performance evaluation is conducted through:
Systematic Metrics:
- Production utilization and efficiency
- Cycle times and takt rates
- Quality rates and defect quotas
- OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
The integration of these metrics enables continuous optimization of production processes and supports the systematic improvement of manufacturing efficiency.