To group identical or similar production tasks into a single run to reduce setup times and changeovers. While this increases local efficiency at a specific machine, it can create bottlenecks downstream and goes against continuous flow principles. Planners often do this to maximize the utilization of a slow or expensive piece of equipment.
Heard on the job
The cutting department tends to batch up all the aluminum jobs for Thursday to avoid changing the laser optics.
Related terms
Bottleneck
The slowest or most restrictive step in a production process that dictates the maximum overall output rate.
JIT
Just-in-time, a production strategy that coordinates material delivery precisely with manufacturing schedules.
Makespan
The total duration required to complete a specific set of scheduled jobs.