ENGINEERING STUDY / METHODSJS—02
Fixture ROI Calculator
A browser and workbook calculator for comparing conventional and fixture-assisted workholding economics.
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ManufacturingcalculatorEngineering workflow
Fixture and Production Capacity Planner
An Excel/VBA and offline Python optimizer workflow for demand, WIP, fixtures, machine readiness, cadence, labor, overtime, backlog, and scenario planning.
MY FOCUSDeveloped the workbook model, scenario logic, structured CSV contract, VBA orchestration, validation, and OR-Tools optimization engine.
ENGINEERING VALUE
Demonstrates integration of manufacturing knowledge, scheduling logic, spreadsheet UX, and optimization software.
PROJECT SCOPE
Manufacturing planning workflow with workbook and software implementations
Explore the project checks ↗ENGINEERING STUDY / METHODSJS—02
Engineering concept illustration.
01 / THE PROBLEM
The engineering challenge.
Management needed to compare fixture changes and machine scenarios while respecting due dates, current supply, readiness, labor, locks, and partial/full loads.
02 / CONSTRAINTS
What the solution must consider.
- Capacity and investment decisions depend on demand, availability and scheduling assumptions; the planner supports review rather than automatic capital approval.
03 / ENGINEERING APPROACH
Reasoning before geometry.
01
Engineering method
Separate workbook inputs and review views from an offline optimizer, enforce data contracts and hashes, and retain last accepted results on safe failures.
02
Workflow features
Demand/WIP and backlog; Fixture-pocket compatibility; Parallel machine hours; Readiness and weekly buckets; Scenario and lock controls; Lexicographic optimization; Hash-checked workbook/executable exchange.
04 / DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Connecting intent to execution.
A 14-sheet decision workbook and a general-purpose VBA/Python planner organize demand, machine capacity, seed data and optimization scenarios.
- Demand/WIP and backlog
- Fixture-pocket compatibility
- Parallel machine hours
- Readiness and weekly buckets
- Scenario and lock controls
- Lexicographic optimization
- Hash-checked workbook/executable exchange
05 / VALIDATION
The checks behind the design.
Engineering workflow
Project QA includes seed-data validation and optimizer checks. Capacity outputs depend on the selected demand, machine availability and scheduling assumptions; production decisions require scenario review.
14
Decision workbook sheets
Decision workbook structure; 14 sheets.
06 / OUTCOME
The value of the work.
Demonstrates integration of manufacturing knowledge, scheduling logic, spreadsheet UX, and optimization software.
THE ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE
Make the process assumptions visible.
A plan or calculator is easier to trust when its units, quantity basis, setup assumptions and handoff documents are explicit. A numerical answer should be traceable to the inputs and method.
A question for a technical conversation
Which input changes the result most, and how would you compare the estimate with shop-floor observations?
LET’S BUILD SOMETHING THAT WORKS
Good design belongs
on the shop floor.
Considering a role in mechanical design, manufacturing methods,
fixture design, or estimation? Let’s connect.