Staggered Moving Average Technique (SMAT): A Tool to Optimize Component Manufacture

The Staggered Moving Average Technique (SMA T) is an algorithm that enables component manufacturing to forecast or generate a one-year manufacturing plan. SMAT minimizes the impact of step function schedule changes on equipment, product and manpower requirements by smoothing production rates. At the same time, it takes into account changes in inventory levels associated with the production requirements. The benefits of SMA T include a coordinated output of schedules, equipment requirements, production rates and inventory levels on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.