Sustainable Manufacturing Systems
Hållbara tillverkningssystem

MMTN31, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2026/27
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED M
Date of Decision: 2026-03-26

General Information

Main field: Production and Materials Engineering Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: MPRR1
Elective for: I4-pr, M4-prr, MD4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The course aims to create an understanding of the important link between technology and economics, define economic conditions as a tool for production development and provide an idea of ​​how different processing steps and ancillary processes form a manufacturing system. The course also deals with the basic aspects of sustainable production. Furthermore, the course should clarify the mutual dependence between e.g. product development and recycle-adapted manufacturing systems as well as an integrated investment strategy.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• master the fundamental nomenclature of the manufacturing system field and be able to describe the development of and the prerequisites for the manufacturing systems from mass production to the production philosophies of today.
• be able to describe the characteristics of different types of production and layouts.
• master calculation principles for the manufacturing cost of a production section where all the essential factors are taken into consideration and to have knowledge about different key ratios which describe the performance of the manufacturing system.
• understand the basics of a systematic production analysis and have an understanding of how follow-up and measurement in production can be quantified and the understanding of how key figures are structured and can be used for production development
• have an understanding about the basics of manufacturing economic simulation and be able to establish a plan for production development based on goal functions under given conditions.
• be able to describe the tools and principles for a continuous production development based on the lean production philosophy and Next Step among others.
• have an understanding about the demands that must be made on a manufacturing system regarding environment and recycling aspects.
• have insights and understanding of the fundamental principles of sustainable production and how these can be quantified and interact with product development, investments and environmental and recycle aspects.
• have an understanding about and be able to exemplify important connections between product development, production, and industrial purchase and to have an understanding about the prerequisites and the basic knowledge needed for sustainable products.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to analyze and calculate the production capacity of a machine or a production section.
• be able to dimension and configure a manufacturing system with known data and statistically handle different behaviours for example disturbances in a manufacturing system.
• be able to plan, setup and carry out a systematic production analysis including analyses of the achieved results.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe and analyze a manufacturing system
• be able to argue for the aspects that are vital for achieving a sustainable production system

Contents

The course focuses on the important link between economics, technology and sustainability. The results of development efforts are described in manufacturing economics terms. The following are covered: Development and history of manufacturing systems, production types, production layouts and organizational forms, group technology, flow groups, flexibility concepts, manufacturing economics including throughput times and cycle times in batch manufacturing and flow manufacturing as well as manufacturing economics simulation, scrapping, downtime, production rate losses, reduced utilization, cost-neutral relationships, configuration of manufacturing systems, systematic production analysis in theory and practice, production safety and the production safety matrix, deterministic production development, boundary investments in production development, continuous development and improvement work based on, among others, resource-efficient manufacturing where lean production and Next Step are leading, sustainable development, pollution, circular economy. Integrated product development with environmental elements and cycle technology.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Written examination and written and oral assignments.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0121. Name: Sustainable Manufacturing Systems.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: MMT012/MMTF20 Production and Manufacturing Methods or MMTA05 Production Systems or corresponding.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: MMTN30 MMT045

Reading list

• Ståhl, Jan-Eric, Windmark Christina: Sustainable Production System - – the link between technology and economy with a global perspective. 2024.

Contact

Course coordinator: Fredrik Schultheiss, fredrik.schultheiss@iprod.lth.se
Teacher: Christina Windmark, christina.windmark@iprod.lth.se