Course Overview
This course, part of the MITx Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters, introduces learners to the fundamentals of manufacturing systems.
It covers system design, process flow, bottleneck analysis, and production optimization. Students gain practical skills in modeling, analyzing, and improving manufacturing operations.
This course is ideal for engineers, operations managers, and professionals involved in process improvement, industrial design, and advanced manufacturing environments.
Learning Outcomes
Learners will be able to:
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Analyze manufacturing systems using quantitative models
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Identify bottlenecks and constraints in production processes
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Apply Little’s Law and queueing theory to optimize flow
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Measure system performance and process variability
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Design effective production workflows
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Implement lean manufacturing principles
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Evaluate trade-offs between capacity, inventory, and throughput
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Use simulation tools to model manufacturing systems
Course Structure
| Module | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Manufacturing Systems | Key concepts, system components, manufacturing terminology |
| 2 | Flow and Process Analysis | Workflow mapping, bottleneck identification, work-in-progress |
| 3 | Little’s Law & System Metrics | Throughput, cycle time, inventory relationships |
| 4 | Variability and its Impact | Sources of variability, effect on system performance |
| 5 | Queueing Theory Basics | Single/multiple server queues, wait times, optimization |
| 6 | Production Line Balancing | Task allocation, resource leveling, cycle optimization |
| 7 | Lean Manufacturing Concepts | Waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement |
| 8 | Simulation of Manufacturing Systems | Using software to model, analyze, and optimize production |
| 9 | Case Studies | Real-world applications in industrial and technology environments |
| 10 | Capstone Assignment | Analyze and propose improvements for a manufacturing system |
Course Duration
| Mode | Duration |
|---|---|
| Self-paced | 8–10 weeks (8–10 hours/week) |
| Instructor-led | 6 weeks (10 hours/week, if offered) |
Assessment
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Weekly problem sets and exercises
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Workflow simulation assignments
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Case study analyses
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Capstone project evaluating a manufacturing system
Included Materials
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MIT lecture videos
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Readable lecture notes and slides
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Simulation templates and software guides
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Problem-solving exercises and datasets
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Case study material
Prerequisites
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Introductory calculus
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Basic probability and statistics
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Understanding of fundamental manufacturing processes recommended
Certification
MITx Verified Certificate — Manufacturing Systems I
Awarded upon completion of all assignments and the capstone project.
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