Implementation Of Group Technology Research Articles

Clustering Parts Based on the Design and Manufacturing Similarities Using a Genetic Algorithm

The part family (PF) formation in a cellular manufacturing has been a key issue for the successful implementation of Group Technology (GT). Basically, a part has two different attributes; i.e., design and manufacturing. The respective similarity in both attributes is often conflicting each other. However, the two attributes should be taken into account appropriately in order for the PF to maximize the benefits of the GT implementation. This paper proposes a clustering algorithm which considers the two attributes simultaneously based on pareto optimal theory. The similarity in each attribute can be represented as two individual objective functions. Then, the resulting two objective functions are properly combined into a pareto fitness function which assigns a single fitness value to each solution based on the two objective functions. A GA is used to find the pareto optimal set of solutions based on the fitness function. A set of hypothetical parts are grouped using the proposed system. The results show that the proposed system is very promising in clustering with multiple objectives.

Evolutionary approach for solving cell-formation problem in cell manufacturing

New environmental characteristics and requirements have challenged manufacturing enterprises to improve the efficiency and productivity of their production activities. Cellular manufacturing (CM) as one of the solutions to this problem, as implementation of Group technology (GT), was proposed. Performance of cellular manufacturing systems depends heavily on the cell structure. In this paper we present and evaluate a novel approach for solving the cell-formation problem based on implementation of a GA, called modified genetic algorithm (MGA). Implementation of the GA in here presented simulation model is based on Emergent Synthesis idea, of top-down problem decomposition and emerging solution from bottom-up feedback.

Organização de um sistema de produção em células de fabricação

A bloco-diagonalização da matriz de incidência peças-máquinas para efetuar o projeto de células de fabricação é uma etapa importante para a implementação da Tecnologia de Grupo. Este artigo propõe um método de bloco-diagonalização baseado em classificação cruzada de peças e tipos de máquinas com progressiva atribuição dos tipos de máquinas às famílias de peças. Exemplos que permitem teste e comparação do método proposto com outros métodos existentes são apresentados. Os resultados obtidos de exemplos extraídos da literatura são equivalentes ou melhores do que aqueles disponíveis, em termos do número de movimentos intercélulas e das dimensões das células projetadas.

Overloaded overheads: Activity‐based cost analysis of material handling in cell manufacturing

AbstractManufacturing managers today are pressed by aggressive international competitors, high input factor prices, and customers who demand better quality at lower cost. In such an environment, there is a growing need to exploit the time, cost and quality advantages of cell manufacturing (Hyer and Wemmerlöv (1984)). Unfortunately, traditional cost accounting systems may be a major roadblock on the highway to future manufacturing competitiveness. These systems may stifle manufacturing initiatives to improve process design by providing inaccurate cost information. They may also send the wrong signals to managers who must evaluate the cost/benefit impact of process innovation (such as cells and group technology implementation), thereby causing companies to retain outmoded, inefficient manufacturing practices.We discuss the results of our field study which illustrates the use of activity‐based costing (ABC) to quantify the benefits of cell manufacturing and synchronized process flows. Auto Light Company, a Fortune 500 automobile components manufacturer, had begun to replace its functional layout with synchronous manufacturing cells. Although dramatic progress had been made in operational measures (such as throughput time, work‐in‐process (WIP) inventories, and material flow distance), existing accounting systems failed to trace these savings to the source, namely the change in manufacturing practices. Overheads were being allocated to products on the basis of direct labor or machine hours, which at Auto Light are no different in cells than in traditional manufacturing.A joint Auto Light management/Carnegie Mellon University team examined the impact of cell manufacturing on major cost categories. The group identified material handling expenses (which exceed $5,000,000 per year, and comprise approximately 10% of total factory costs) as a promising area for analysis using ABC principles. We sought to identify relevant material handling cost drivers: that is, activities that (1) create costs and (2) seem reasonable to use as proxies for assigning costs to products. Interviews, plant records and time‐and‐effort studies pointed to “number of moves” and “distance moved” as key drivers of material handling costs. Annual production volumes, physical dimensions of products and their production routings were used to calculate the number of moves, and the distance

GROUPABIL1TY: an analysis of the properties of binary data matrices for group technology

SUMMARY Block-diagonalization of the machine-component incidence matrix is the first step in the implementation of group technology. Even powerful algorithms will fail to achieve this if the matrix itself is not amenable to block-diagonalization. The present work analyses the properties of the matrix and identifies the standard deviation of the pairwise similarities (Jaccard7rpar; of the vectors as the major factor that decides the groupability of the data set. Many data sets ranging from the perfectly groupable to the most ill structured ones are analysed and presented. The groupability curves show the variation of the property against the relevant factors.

Analysis of group technology scheduling heuristics

The need for increased productivity in small batch manufacturing has recently brought focus to the topics and concepts of group technology. The results of a simulation analysis of the use of three job shop simulation scheduling rules which focus on inducing efficiency in the shop is presented. Two of these rules show significant gains in efficiency and, unexpectedly, they also show significant gains in effectiveness. These rules, in effect, induce the efficiency gains expected with group technology implementation.

欧米における生産システムの現状と将来 : 特にコンピュータ援用生産におけるグループテクノロジーの応用を中心として(<特集号>機械工学と機械工業の将来展望)

欧米における生産システムの現状と将来 : 特にコンピュータ援用生産におけるグループテクノロジーの応用を中心として(<特集号>機械工学と機械工業の将来展望)

A research report on the human aspects of group technology and cellular manufacture

Abstract This paper reports the major findings to date of an investigation into the human aspects of group technology and cellular manufacture. The project is part of a larger multi-disciplinary multi-institutional research programme financed by Britain's Science Research Council. Initially the benefits following the introduction of group technology were seen to be economic and technological. Recently claims have been made which suggest that it is the social benefits which are likely to be the most significant in the future. The paper assesses these claims in the light of observations made on the impact of group technology in the following areas: (1)Worker flexibility and job variety. (2)The importance of the social group. 3)Reduction in frustration. (4)Improvements in material working conditions. (5)Status and security. This is followed by a note on the reaction of trade unions to the implementation of group technology. The paper concludes with (1) a plea for more research into batch manufacturing system...