What is Cellular Manufacturing ?

Cellular Manufacturing (CM) refers to a manufacturing system wherein the equipment and workstations are arranged in an efficient sequence that allows a continuous and smooth movement of parts/tools/materials to produce products from start to finish in a single process flow, while incurring minimal transport or waiting time, or any delay for that matter.

CM is a model for workplace design and is an important ingredient of Lean manufacturing. The goal of lean manufacturing is the aggressive minimization of waste in order to achieve maximum efficiency of resources. Cellular manufacturing, sometimes called cellular or cell production, arranges factory floor labor into semi-autonomous and multi-skilled teams, or work cells, who would manufacture entire (simple) products or discreet (complex) product components. The semi-autonomous and self-managed cells, if properly trained and implemented, are more flexible and responsive than the traditional mass production line, and therefore in a better position to manage processes, defects, scheduling, equipment maintenance etc.

Cellular manufacturing is fairly a new application of Group Technology (GT). GT is a management strategy with long term goals of staying in business, growing and making profits. Companies are under relentless pressure to reduce costs while meeting the high quality expectations of the customer to maintain a competitive advantage. Cellular manufacturing, where properly implemented, is able to allow companies to achieve cost savings and quality improvements, especially when combined with the other aspects of lean manufacturing. Cell manufacturing systems are currently used to manufacture anything from hydraulic and engine pumps used in aircrafts to plastic packaging components.


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