Methodology for searching representative elementsMurovec, Jure (Avtor) Kušar, Janez (Avtor) Berlec, Tomaž (Avtor) representative elementslarge data quantityloading functionsimulationmaterial flow optimisationCompanies have to assure their share on the global market, meet customer demands and produce customer-tailored products. With time and production line updates, the layout becomes non-optimal and product diversity only increases this problem. To stay competitive, they need to increase their productivity and eliminate waste. Due to a variety of products consisting of similar components and variants thereof, a huge number of various elements are encountered in a production process, the material flow of which is hardly manageable. Although the elements differ from each other, their representative elements can be defined. This paper will illustrate a methodology for searching representative elements (MIRE), which is a combination of the known Pareto’s analysis (also known as ABC analysis or 20/80 rule) and a calculation of a loading function, that can be based on any element feature. Results of using the MIRE methodology in a case from an industrial environment have shown that the analysis can be carried out within a very short time and this provides for permanent analysis, optimisation and, consequently, permanent improvement in the material flow through a production process. The methodology is most suitable for smaller companies as it enables rapid analysis, especially in cases when there is no pre-recorded material flow.20192021-11-03 10:29:10Članek v reviji132784UDK: 658.5(045)ISSN pri članku: 2076-3417DOI: 10.3390/app9173482COBISS_ID: 16755995sl