Group Technology - It is a manufacturing philosophy in which similar parts are identified and grouped

together to take advantage of their similarities in manufacture and design.

Part families - It is a collection of parts which are similar either because of geometric shape and
size or because of similar processing steps required in their manufacture. The parts with in a
family are different but their similarities are close enough to merit their identification as
members of the part family.

2.2 Cellular Manufacturing

It is an application of GT in manufacturing in which all or a portion of a firm’s manufacturing

system has been converted to cells.

2.3 Machine cells

Machine cells are the group of machines arranged to produce similar part families. This cellular
arrangement of production equipment is designed to achieve an efficient work flow with in the
cell.

Traditional Process Layout

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Manufacturing Cells

2.4 Concept of Composite part

The concept of composite part take the ‘part – family’ definition to it’s logical conclusion. It
conceives of a hypothetical part that represents all of the design and corresponding
manufacturing attributes possessed by the various individuals in the family.

Such a hypothetical part need several machining operations , which could be provided by a well
designed machine cell. The machine, fixtures, and tools would be set up for efficient flow of
work parts through the cell. Un needed operations can be simply cancelled.

In nut shell ‘The Composite Part concept’ is very much useful for visualizing the machine cell
design problem.

2.5 Primary Objective

To reduce

 set up times.
 flow times
 inventory.
 Market response time.

2.6 Types of GT Machine cells

The organization of machines into cells can follow one of three general patterns.

1. Single machine cell

2. Group machine layout with manual handling.
3. Group machine cell with semi integrated handling / Flow line design.

1. Single machine cell.

It consists of one machine, supporting fixtures and tooling one or more part families with basic
type of process such as milling can be processed.
2. Group machine layout with manual handling.

This type of cell is often organized into a U-shaped layout. Includes more than one machine to
process one or more part families. Material handling is performed by the human operators who
run the cell.

3.       Group machine cell with semi integrated handling / Flow line design.

A mechanized handling system, such as a conveyor, is used to move parts between machines in
the cell. If the parts made in the cell have identical routings, in-line layout is selected. If the
routings vary, loop layout is more appropriate.

2.7 Responsibilities of a Machine cell operator

 Shutting down the Process if a defect is noticed

 Finding out the cause of defect
 Finding a solution.
 Avoiding a situation where defective items continue to be made.

2.8 Advantages of a Machine cell operator

 More variety
 More responsibility…
 Higher Productivity…
 Problem-solving
 Alertness, mental health, etc.

2.9 Advantages of Cellular Production

1.   Reduced machine setup times

 increased capacity
 economical to produce in smaller batch sizes
 smaller batch sizes result in less WIP
 less WIP leads to shorter lead times
 shorter lead times increase forecast accuracy and provide a competitive
advantage.

2.  Parts produced in one cell.

3.  Capitalize on benefits of using worker teams.
4.  Minimal cost to move from job shop to cellular production.
5.  Can move from cellular production to “mini-plants”.

2.10 Disadvantages of Cellular Production.

1. Volumes too low to justify highly efficient high volume equipment
2. Vulnerable to equipment breakdowns
3. Balancing work across cells
4. Does not offer the same high degree of customization as the job shop.