This course explores the dynamic behavior and control of manufacturing systems, with a strong emphasis on Lean manufacturing principles as a foundational approach to operational excellence. Designed for an audience of advanced undergraduates, the course emphasizes both conceptual understanding and practical application of manufacturing system dynamics. Students will examine how fundamental laws govern factory performance, focusing on key relationships among throughput, work-in-process (WIP), cycle time, and capacity. The course introduces critical tools for analyzing the effects of variability, identifying system bottlenecks, and designing responsive production control systems. Covered topics include Little’s Law, variability buffering, queuing models, push vs. pull systems, CONWIP and Kanban control mechanisms, Lean philosophy and its practical applications, and performance trade-offs in complex systems. The course is designed to provide the students with the skills to diagnose, model, and improve manufacturing systems. While theoretical rigor is maintained, emphasis is also placed on intuition, systems thinking, and practical insight—making the course valuable for students preparing for industry or research.

Factory Physics by Wallace J. Hopp and Mark L. Spearman, 3rd edition.