Free Essays on BMW

BMW Assembly Line The latest tool offered to the manufacturing world is the introduction of robots and automated supply retrieval systems into the assembly lines and production systems. The main reason and advantage for the automation of the assembly lines are the reduction in labor cost and the reduction of human error. â€Å"Adding the latest in robotics and assembly line conveyor systems can help manufacturers meet the stiff challenges they face. With smaller robotic cells, top-loading robots mounted on gantries, new vision-based robots, simulation software for visualizing robotic cells, and more efficient assembly line equipment, manufacturers can boost productivity and remain competitive.† (Waurzyniak) The initial cost for setting up an automated assembly line is often expensive but for a plant that has a high volume output the payback period will be minimal. The key here is the use of high volume repetitive processes. The biggest benefit in automating an assembly line is presented in the removal of human processing in the repeated mechanical movements. Operation Process and the Product There are two distinct operations processes that may be selected in the manufacturing and operations methods. There is the intermittent operations process and the continuous operation process. The selection of the most efficient process is most greatly influenced by the product itself. This is mainly based on the amount of products that will be produced of the same or similar characteristics. If a product is selected for production that is identical at will have a high operation output then the most efficient process would be the continuous operations method. The greater the volume of output a product has the more savings that can be achieved by economies of scale and mass assembly lines. The other end of the spectrum is the selection of a product that has a relatively low volume or has very different characteristics. This type o... Free Essays on BMW Free Essays on BMW BMW Assembly Line The latest tool offered to the manufacturing world is the introduction of robots and automated supply retrieval systems into the assembly lines and production systems. The main reason and advantage for the automation of the assembly lines are the reduction in labor cost and the reduction of human error. â€Å"Adding the latest in robotics and assembly line conveyor systems can help manufacturers meet the stiff challenges they face. With smaller robotic cells, top-loading robots mounted on gantries, new vision-based robots, simulation software for visualizing robotic cells, and more efficient assembly line equipment, manufacturers can boost productivity and remain competitive.† (Waurzyniak) The initial cost for setting up an automated assembly line is often expensive but for a plant that has a high volume output the payback period will be minimal. The key here is the use of high volume repetitive processes. The biggest benefit in automating an assembly line is presented in the removal of human processing in the repeated mechanical movements. Operation Process and the Product There are two distinct operations processes that may be selected in the manufacturing and operations methods. There is the intermittent operations process and the continuous operation process. The selection of the most efficient process is most greatly influenced by the product itself. This is mainly based on the amount of products that will be produced of the same or similar characteristics. If a product is selected for production that is identical at will have a high operation output then the most efficient process would be the continuous operations method. The greater the volume of output a product has the more savings that can be achieved by economies of scale and mass assembly lines. The other end of the spectrum is the selection of a product that has a relatively low volume or has very different characteristics. This type o...

Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For Hospitals

Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For Hospitals One of the unexpected effects of the Affordable Care Act has been increased pressure on doctors and medical staff to improve patient engagement. As payment options shift and care networks broaden, patients find themselves empowered to demand not  Ã¢â‚¬Å"just† the best medical care, but also a compassionate bedside manner, as well. Shefali Luthra over at MedPageToday notes that medical centers nationwide are prioritizing doctor-patient interactions and emphasizing compassion as well as a search for diagnosis. â€Å"Under a 2010 health law, Medicare payments to hospitals can be affected by patient satisfaction surveys,† according to Luthra. In addition, the care cost burden on patients leads them to depend more on preference than on limited options.The research of Tim Vogus, associate professor of management at Vanderbilt University, found that medical institutions encouraging physician responsiveness now  require  doctors  to take empathy training courses, capture personal details about patients in their charts, and practice small follow-up gestures like a handwritten note or phone call- all which improve patient experience.A key piece of this innovative practice is of course being open to receiving feedback- if patients never have a chance to evaluate a physician or her practice, how will they know what to improve? The University of Rochester Medical Center sends out a monthly feedback newsletter and provides doctor-to-doctor peer coaching, which gives doctors a chance to turn appointment discussions into a conversation instead of a by-the-book exchange.Patients who feel that their doctors are sincerely invested are more likely to take medication, adhere to recommendations, and schedule follow-up appointments and procedures. And the more active listening an attentive physician practices can lead, the  more accurate diagnoses and responsive treatments occur. The entire staff and its patients improve when doctors take the time to listen and respond appropriately- the future of medicine might depend on it.Hospitals Push Docs to Improve Their Bedside MannersRead More at Medical Page Today