ABSTRACT
Group Technology (GT) is a method of classification of manufactured parts (or assemblies) into groups (or families) that have similar manufacturing routings, design attributes, materials, quality specifications, etc. Knowledge. Cellular Manufacturing is an application of GT to factory reconfiguration and shop floor layout design. Cells are often implemented in high-mix low-volume manufacturing facilities, including job shops, to gain most of the operational benefits of flowline production. This chapter illustrates the combined use of material flow visualization using a Spaghetti Diagram, Process Routing Analysis using the Production Flow Analysis and Simplification Toolkit software, and facility layout design using the STORM software. It determines the best layout shape for a multi-product multi-machine manufacturing cell, like the multi-product cell.
