This paper considers a case of a certain multi-variety and small-batch production system, which is located
in a precision component manufacturing workshop of a Japanese company. To satisfy diverse demands
from different customers, hundreds of part types are produced, and corresponding production lines are designed.
As Figure 2 (a) shows, the part types are divided into tens of groups owing to changes in the market
needs. Parts in groups A, B and C have large production quantity and lower demand variability compared
to other groups. The economic benefit and productivity of these part types is crucial to the entire
system. Figure 2 (b) shows that parts in group A occupy over 75% of production and 80% of profits. Consequently,
in this paper, part types M1 (MR436CR) and M2 (MB406), composing group A, are selected as
the research object. The study of the environmental problems for these part types will also provide some
suggestions for the other part types.