The module gives the students the opportunity to acquire skills in the use of digital manufacturing methods and their integration with computer aided design (CAD). The module covers Location strategy and its impact on the attainment of corporate objectives; the criteria for evaluating location decisions, computerised location and distribution planning. Consideration is given to the range of processes and equipment selection including quality and reliability issues as well as facilities layout and layout patterns including job shop, batch, assembly lines and group technology.You will apply operations scheduling and production activity control techniques to a variety of production systems.You will use appropriate digital tools and techniques to support all of the major decisions made in manufacturing planning including: assembly process validation, ergonomics and human task analysis, line balancing, automation and factory simulation.You will also apply a range of quality improvement techniques including: pareto charts, histograms, cause and effect diagrams, SPC, and lean six sigma in a Total Quality Management framework.