Group Technology

1. Group Technology

2. A component of CAD that allows for the cataloging and standardization of parts and components for complex products.(Foster, 187) GROUP TECHNOLOGY

3. Cellular Manufacturing GT Coding and Classification Systems TWO MAIN TYPES OF GROUP TECHNOLOGY (GT) SYSTEMS:

4. Cellular Manufacturing • Placing parts with the same requirements in a GT cell • Producing small and more flexible assembly lines in a production operation • Manufacturing similar parts in a small area

5. Group Technology Coding and Classification Systems • Assigns codes to different parts based on a descriptive coding system • Parts are categorized into groups based on similar characteristics • Codes can be used to search for parts in a Group Technology database

6. Group Technology Advantages • Group Technology (GT) has a competitive advantage: • The quality of products are improved • Profits are improved • Improved customer service

7. Quality Improvement Advantage • Operators work with a limited amount of parts; increasing their skills in these areas. • Smaller batches lead to smaller amounts of defective parts. • Operators detect more mistakes when working in a small work area.

8. Improved Profits • Reducing production costs can lead to increased profits. • An increase in the production of parts • Simplified estimation of costs

9. 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

10. Manufacturing organizations GT cell layout is most suitable for batch processes Group Technology in Organizations

11. Offers more flexibility Decrease in setup times Decline in work-in-process inventories Group Technology in Batch Processes

12. Reduction in lead time allows for more flexibility in certain areas - Areas can include the reaction to market demand Offering more flexibility in Batch Processes

13. Decrease in Setup Times • Group of similar parts in each cell leads to smaller setup times

14. Decline in Work-In-Process Inventories • Smaller batch sizes allow for less work-in-process

15. Harley-Davidson Inc. Cell-based cylinder machining resulted in a 29% reduction in scrap, and productivity increased 26% (Frazier, 86) Example of a corporation using Group Technology

16. Exercise • 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 -GT Coding & Classification Systems Systems

17. Summary of Group Technology • Group Technology (GT) is a component of CAD (Computer Aided Design). • Categorizes similar parts in a GT work cell • There are two main types of GT systems • GT offers a competitive advantage • GT cells tend to be more suitable for batch processes

18. 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 V39 May/June 1996: 83-90. Bibliography