Issues in Modern Production Systems

Catalog description

This course explores the principles of making, designing, integrating and improving production systems by asking the following questions: What is the right way to transform materials and who (or what) determines that? How do political, environmental, social, technological, legal/regulatory, ethical and economic factors impact the way individuals and organizations make, design, integrate and improve? How do production systems affect our ecosystem at different scales, ranging from artisanal craft methods to complex global supply chains and continuous production?  Advanced manufacturing, continuous improvement and sustainable production systems will be explored. Includes a lab component.