Design of a cellular manufacturing system for an injection moulding company using production flow analysis

摘要

The fundamental philosophy of cellular manufacturing is to assign a 'Group' of machines for the manufacture of a Family' of parts. It is mainly implemented in the metal cutting industry. However the benefits such as On-time delivery, Improved response, Reduced Inventory, Improved Quality, Improved workflow etc, claimed by this approach can be achieved by other industrial sectors as well. A company making oil seals by injection moulding was experiencing the lack of these benefits. It was proposed to investigate and implement this Cellular Manufacturing approach. The analysis revealed that Groups of a single machine with specific families of parts to be manufactured in them was the best way forward. The paper describes the details.