Designing a manufacturing System through Lean Layouts and Cellular Manufacturing
Traditionally, many conventional factory design had common manufacturing method of Job shop which is organised based on the concept where all similar operations are grouped and put in one room with a supervisor or a manager. High batch size, high volume transportation, high need for storage space and aisles/pathways flooded with materials resulting safety compromise. Factory design in the form of Lean layout with cellular manufacturing concepts helps in improving productivity, reduction of Lead time, improves Quality and improves ontime performance. As per new manufacturing system design, cellular manufacturing concepts can have several types
The following are some of the key objectives of Lean layout: • • • • • • • • • •
Smooth flow of work Machines in sequence with operations Minimum Operator Inconvenience Easy Material Handling Elimination of unnecessary material movement Space for storage of materials Space for storage of tools close to the machine Space for operator movement Space for easy maintenance Space for holding maintenance equipment