Cobacabana (control of balance by card-based navigation): A card-based system for job shop control

Existing card-based production control systems such as Kanban are mostly dedicated to repetitive production environments. Cards-based systems for job shop control are lacking, while particularly this industry segment shows a need for simple control systems. This paper aims at filling the gap by presenting a simple card-based system for job shop control, the Cobacabana (control of balance by card-based navigation) system. It is based on the concept of workload control (WLC), which has already proven its value in job shops. Developments towards more robust norms now allow for transforming the WLC concept into a simple card-based system, with loops of cards accompanying orders from release until completion at critical work centers. Cards returning from work centers authorize the planner to release new orders. A card-based display supports the planner with an overview of the shop floor situation, based on non-released cards. An additional loop of cards between sales and planning enables support of the order acceptance and due date promising function. A card-based acceptance display indicates what delivery dates are realistic, considering the current workload situation. Both the scientific roots of the system and practical implementation issues are discussed in this paper. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.