Issues concerning optimization of non-conventional parameters in manufacturing

There are several parameters regarding the manufacture of an item such as machine setup cost, carrying cost, demand and production rate etc. Traditionally, manufacturing batch size or production cycle time is optimized after formulation of the total relevant cost. A discussion is made in the present paper concerning variation of non-conventional parameters such as production rate, on the basis of available literature. Implications related to variation of demand of an item are also mentioned. Focus is on discussion and formulation of the problem. Complete solution methods are not provided. However various available non-linear programming methods may be applied such as univariate method, penalty function method etc. in addition to classical optimization technique.