Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are provided so that the machines and machining stations and the distribution of product along a production line may be managed in a variety of manners while data is taken and analyzed in accordance with this invention to provide optimization conditions for improved throughput. A historical analysis of zone performance provides the preferred range for the number of upstream and downstream products for each particular segment, machine, or station. An end of shift staging analysis provides the optimized number of upstream and downstream products for each particular segment, machine, or station at the start of the next shift.

Abstract: A production loss tracking system for a manufacturing system includes a collection module, an event module, and a report module. The collection module collects a processing status from a plurality of processing stations. The event module forecasts an upstream production loss event for a first of the processing stations that is upstream from a second of the processing stations that experienced a production loss event when the processing status indicates the production loss event. The event module forecasts a downstream production loss event for a third of the processing stations that is downstream from the second of the processing stations that experienced the production loss event when the processing status indicates the production loss event. The report module communicates with the event module and generates a report indicating the upstream production loss event, the downstream production loss event, and the production loss event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method, system and storage medium for managing automated system events. The method includes identifying events that are a defined system event and associating the events identified with one of (a) events that cause an automated system to transition from an automatic cycle mode, the events having a fault type associated therewith; and (b) events that do not cause the automated system to transition from the automatic cycle mode. The method also includes generating a listing of the events identified with regard to the associating the events.