An integrated method of hierarchical planning and “pull-way” production control for lean shipbuilding

Issues are investigated when shipyards are trying to manage their receding horizon plan and control their production process in a “pull” way, based on the principle of lean manufacturing. A hierarchical planning and “pull-way” production control integration system model is established, which provides the shipyards architecture of realizing the lean manufacturing in planning and production control area. Then, a production control method is introduced where the bottom level is based on pull principle, while under the restriction of receding horizon plan. The study reveal that even under the “make to order” production mode of shipbuilding, it is still possible to establish a leanness oriented planning and production Control system, where the receding horizon plan can work well together with the “pull-way” production control. The result of a production process simulation is introduced at the end of the paper, to validate the advantage of the suggested control method.