Material Flow Systems in Manufacturing - Practical Design & Control

In this review of Material Flow Systems in Manufacturing the reviewer finds a focused collection for practitioners and researchers concerned with the physical movement of parts and handling devices. The book's biggest strength is its attention to design and operational control issues that directly affect facilities layout, material handling and production planning, making it a useful reference for engineers who need concrete discussion of flow systems rather than high-level theory. It reads like a specialist compilation that prioritizes practical applicability to cellular manufacturing and automated transport equipment.

Key Features

• Design focus: Chapters concentrate on facility and flow layout decisions that help readers plan material movement through production areas more effectively.
• Operational control: The book presents control approaches for the physical movement of parts and containers, which benefits those setting rules for day-to-day handling.
• Material handling emphasis: Coverage of tools, containers and handling devices gives practical insight into the items that form the backbone of any material flow system.
• Cellular manufacturing coverage: Recent developments in cellular layouts are discussed, helping readers adapt flow strategies for small, flexible production cells.
• Automated transport discussion: Treatments of automated guided vehicles and similar equipment inform decisions about automation in material transport.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to industrial engineers, operations managers, and graduate students working on facilities design, material handling or production planning who need a collection of applied studies and methods. It works well as a reference when evaluating layout changes or introducing automated transport like automated guided vehicles into existing systems.

It is less appropriate for readers seeking an introductory textbook on general manufacturing theory or for non-technical managers who prefer visual, hands-on toolkits; the material assumes familiarity with engineering concepts and focuses on design and control rather than step-by-step implementation guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concentrated discussion of design and control makes it a practical reference for facilities planning.
• Includes material handling device and container considerations that are often overlooked in broader texts.
• Relevant coverage of cellular manufacturing and automated transport provides timely perspectives for modern shops.

Cons

• As a compilation, the book can feel academic in places and may not provide step-by-step implementation aids for every reader.

Specifications

Title	Material Flow Systems in Manufacturing
Editor / Author	J.M. Tanchoco
Scope	Design and operational control of material flow systems
Topics emphasized	Facilities design, material handling, production planning and control
Special focus areas	Cellular manufacturing and automated transport equipment
Primary audience	Engineers, operations managers, researchers

Our Verdict

Material Flow Systems in Manufacturing is a solid specialist compilation for professionals and students who need applied analysis of how parts, tools and containers move through production systems. It delivers practical design and control perspectives, especially for cellular manufacturing and automated transport, making it good value for readers seeking engineering depth rather than a beginner primer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover automated guided vehicles?
Yes, the collection includes discussion of automated transport equipment such as automated guided vehicles and their role in material flow.

Is this suitable for beginners?
The book assumes engineering background and is better for practitioners or graduate students than for total beginners looking for introductory material.

What manufacturing topics are emphasized?
The focus is on facilities design, material handling, production planning and operational control of flow systems.