IE

Industrial  And Manufacturing  Engineering
1 -  2141-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 3 - IE & Universities
2 -  Industrial Engineering courses 4 - IE Curriculum
Industrial Engineers And Job 

Factory automation has radically changed the focus of Industrial Engineers.  They look at the total manufacturing process, and computers are their main tool .  They use it for computer simulation, mathematical models, and descriptive charts.  About 80% of Industrial Engineers work in manufacturing.  Industrial Engineers also work for business organizations, government, and service industries, and are involved in office automation, cost-containment and consolidation efforts.

Industrial Engineers serve as a bridge between management and operations.  They combine their solid engineering background with good business sense and management ability.  They figure out the best use of facilities, equipment and people for the most cost efficient and productive way to make or process a product.  Industrial Engineers concentrate on improving manufacturing productivity and reducing costs associated with inventory.  They are also concerned with worker safety and work environment.

Industrial Engineers who specialize in plant layout and design are involved in factory site selection.  They consider labor supply, access to transportation, utility and power costs, as well as building and capital equipment costs.  In actual plant design, they figure out which computer systems, machines and automated equipment will be used in the design and manufacturing process.  They then determine the most effective layout for computers, equipment and offices.  Their designs must allow for flexibility and ease of maintenance. 

Industrial Engineers must also understand ergonomics (which seeks to adapt working conditions to suit the worker) and consider how the machines and work environment affect the worker.  They design work stations to reduce fatigue and prevent discomfort and work related injuries.  They check the fit of chairs, the placement of equipment, computers and keyboards, and the height of desks and tables.

Industrial Engineers who specialize in production planning determine how much a plant can produce.  They depend upon computers, CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) and computer simulation to figure out the best methods for production, distribution, equipment, and transportation.  They may also be responsible for quality control and inventory.  They consider handling and storage of incoming material, and set inventory size, as well as packaging and shipping methods.

Industrial Engineers involved in work methods analysis and improvement investigate how to get the most profit for the least cost.  They establish what work methods to use and how much work each machine or worker should deliver.  They often initiate the use of automation and robotics.

Because of this wide diversity of duties , Industrial Engineers function under different job titles.  Those frequently used are manufacturing engineer, operations or systems analyst, process engineer, facilities engineer, quality engineer, and manufacturing research engineer.

 WORKING CONDITIONS
Industrial Engineers spend much of their time asking questions.  They may talk with production workers, as well as technical or administrative staff.  It is not unusual for these engineers to be involved in several projects at once.  Therefore, they must be flexible enough to drop one and pick up another at a moment's notice.

 Much of an Industrial Engineer's output is used by management for making decisions.  As a result, these workers must be accurate; their recommendations may affect the size of their firm's profits, its labor relations, as well as its production costs.  Because of this, emotional strain in this occupation may be considerable at times. The job is not physically demanding, but frequently takes the engineer out of the office into production and manufacturing areas. 

Quoted From :

 California Occupational Guide Number 3
 Interest Area 5-A
 1996

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 What is Industrial  Engineering ?

    "Efficiency, productivity, competitive, and cutting edge." 
    Perhaps these are some of the words that best describe industrial engineering. 
    It is the improvement of manufacturing and other processes to maximize  productivity and profit.

What do Industrial  Engineers  do ?

    "Industrial engineers find a better way: they apply engineering methods to produce more efficient human machine systems. IE's make production lines more efficient, analyze how people and objects flow through systems, and design work stations that reduce employee fatigue and accidents. Industrial Engineering is about making the best use of available resources to lower costs, improve quality, and increase safety. IE's coordinate the systems and processes of a multifaceted operation to ensure the most efficient flow at an optimum cost. Industrial engineering is the combination of engineering and business administration so factories are only one setting where you'll find industrial engineers. Anywhere there is a system of people, products, or automated machines, industrial engineers are probably at work, finding a better way. Organizations that provide a service, such as hospitals, banks, and government, also require the blend of business and technical skills an industrial engineer offers. Because industrial engineers work in a variety of settings, many related fields can be combined effectively with your engineering program. " ( Bradley University) .

Industrial   Engineers

    Industrial  engineers conduct studies, and develop and supervise programs to achieve the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity. Industrial  engineers are employed in consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, and in government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.

 Example Titles

    1 -Industrial engineer
    2 -Engineer , computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
    3 -Methods engineer
    4 -Plant engineer
    5 -Production engineer
    6 -Cost  engineer
    7 -Manufacturing engineer
    8 -Quality control engineer
    9 -Safety engineer
    10 -Work measurement engineer

Main duties

     Industrial  Engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Plan and design plant layouts and facilities
  • Study new machinery and facilities and recommend or select efficient combinations
  • Develop flexible or integrated manufacturing systems and procedures
  • Conduct studies and implement program to determine optimum inventory levels for production and to allow optimum utilization of machinery, materials and resources
  • Analyze costs of production
  • Design, develop and conduct time studies and work simplification programs
  • Determine human resource and skill requirements and develop training programs
  • Develop performance standards, evaluation systems and wage and incentive programs
  • Conduct studies of the reliability and performance of plant facilities, and production or administrative systems
  • Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs
  • Establish programs and conduct studies to enhance industrial health and safety or to identify and correct fire and other hazards
  • Evaluate or assess industrial facilities
  • Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff and other engineers.
Additional information
  • Industrial engineers develop and implement organizational and management systems, and manufacturing engineers design production processes.
  • There is considerable mobility between industrial engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
  • Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, administration or management

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