Group Technology GROUP TECHNOLOGY A component of CAD
- Slides: 18
Group Technology
GROUP TECHNOLOGY A component of CAD that allows for the cataloging and standardization of parts and components for complex products. (Foster, 187)
TWO MAIN TYPES OF GROUP TECHNOLOGY (GT) SYSTEMS: • Cellular Manufacturing • GT Coding and Classification Systems
Cellular Manufacturing b Placing parts with the same requirements in a GT cell b Producing small and more flexible assembly lines in a production operation b Manufacturing similar parts in a small area
Group Technology Coding and Classification Systems b Assigns codes to different parts based on a descriptive coding system b Parts are categorized into groups based on similar characteristics b Codes can be used to search for parts in a Group Technology database
Group Technology Advantages b Group Technology (GT) has a competitive advantage: • • • The quality of products are improved Profits are improved Improved customer service
Quality Improvement Advantage b Operators work with a limited amount of parts; increasing their skills in these areas. b Smaller batches lead to smaller amounts of defective parts. b Operators detect more mistakes when working in a small work area.
Improved Profits • Reducing production costs can lead to increased profits. • An increase in the production of parts • Simplified estimation of costs
Improvements in Customer Service • • Shorter Lead Times Deliveries are more reliable Easier tracking of the status of an order Access to a Group Technology database for salespeople
Group Technology in Organizations • Manufacturing organizations – GT cell layout is most suitable for batch processes
Group Technology in Batch Processes • • • Offers more flexibility Decrease in setup times Decline in work-in-process inventories
Offering more flexibility in Batch Processes • Reduction in lead time allows for more flexibility in certain areas - Areas can include the reaction to market demand
Decrease in Setup Times b Group of similar parts in each cell leads to smaller setup times
Decline in Work-In-Process Inventories b Smaller batch sizes allow for less work-in- process
Example of a corporation using Group Technology Harley-Davidson Inc. • Cell-based cylinder machining resulted in a 29% reduction in scrap, and productivity increased 26% (Frazier, 86)
Exercise 1. 2. 3. What are the two types of Group Technology Systems? What assigns codes to different parts based on a descriptive coding system? Cellular Manufacturing places what type of parts together? -Cellular Manufacturing - Similar -Group Technology Coding &Classification Systems -GT Coding & Classification Systems
Summary of Group Technology b Group Technology (GT) is a component of CAD (Computer Aided Design). b Categorizes similar parts in a GT work cell b There are two main types of GT systems b GT offers a competitive advantage b GT cells tend to be more suitable for batch processes
Bibliography Foster, Thomas S. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach. New Jersey: Prentice. Hall, Inc. , 2001. Frazier, George V. “Achieving Competitive Advantage Through Group Technology. ” Business Horizons V 39 May/June 1996: 83 -90.
