What is cellular manufacturing?

Cellular manufacturing is a method of process improvement and as such, it is an important part of the lean philosophy. It consists of reorganizing your shop floor in a way that would accommodate the greatest efficiency.

1. WHAT IS CELLULAR
MANUFACTURING?

2. Cellular manufacturing is a method of process improvement and as such, it
is an important part of the lean philosophy. It consists of reorganizing your
shop floor in a way that would accommodate the greatest efficiency.

3. Manufacturing is often considered a monolith, with an image of a giant automated
production line turning out finished goods on an assembly line. But the number of
products manufactured worldwide is staggering, and no one method of production fits
everything. Among the numerous modes of production, cellular manufacturing has
become a go-to method for multiple industries.
But what is cellular manufacturing? Cellular manufacturing is a designed production
layout built to accommodate factories whose output consists of smaller lots. In these
cells, equipment, machines, parts bins, tools and workstations are arranged to
accommodate an optimized flow of continuous production.
What is cellular manufacturing?

4. Each cell is a clearly defined self-sufficient production unit where workers are cross-
trained on all the equipment and tools within the cell. And there may be several cells
within a factory. Cells may also vary in the stage of production completed. For example,
a cell may produce finished parts from start to finish, such as CNC machining and
boring parts for the airline industry. Or it may make assemblies such as wiring
harnesses that will be used as a component in completing a finished good at a later
stage.

5. Cellular manufacturing is not new. Ralph Flanders first envisioned it in 1925. Russian
companies took up the concept in the 1930s after Sergei Mitrofanovmade others
aware of the idea with a book on the subject.
But in the 1970s, cellular manufacturing came into its own as part of a body of
initiatives that later became the lean movement. In Japan, cellular manufacturing was
instrumental in many lean concepts, including just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. The idea
of an appropriately sized production unit within an optimized ergonomic footprint
became critical in reducing waste.
History of cellular manufacturing

6. Modern-day work cells have become well-engineered and valuable components of
manufacturing. Everything from tool selection and its position on the workstation to the
number of steps and type of holding bins is carefully considered for inclusion. Many cellular
designs are engineered to include a modular approach where workstations or segments can
be rolled away and reconfigured for different cells should production needs shift due to
seasonality events.
Several considerations go into a sound cell design:
Cellular manufacturing cell designs

7. 1. Product
The products to be made within the cell must fit a cellular design. Designers need to
determine if it is a complete product or a subassembly. If it is the latter, then routings
must be included for its upstream and downstream impact.
The production rate for the product should also be determined. If the cell produces all
parts within a class of items, it may require an excess capacity to account for spikes in
production. On the other hand, if it is one of several cells producing the same parts,
then capacity can be tight.
Designers must also take product groupings into account. Often, if the finished goods
are completed within the same cell, common parts such as buttons, switches, cords,
and housings can be used across several products within the same family. This allows
the flexibility of lots as small as one to complete products as a “kit” of similar finished
goods.

8. 2. Process
It is common for systems engineers to use process mapping to gain a complete
understanding of each process step. This helps calculate the number of machines and
people and the type of tooling and even parts required for assembly. It also includes
optimal lot size and especially the sequence of steps in the process.
3. Logistics
Support structures are also important in cell design. This includes how the cell is
scheduled, what containers are used, and how they fit the ergonomics. It also includes
how raw materials are brought into the cell and staged for use and how they are
removed, and what happens next.

9. 4. Layout
With these considerations in mind, an optimum cellular design can be determined. The
physical structure must integrate with the other cells within the factory and will often
be intuitive about what configuration should be used after the above considerations
are complete.

10. 1.Linear
Linear cells (also called “I” cells) are like mini assembly lines. Work proceeds in order, with each
machine adding value to the part until it is finished. Linear cells require access to both sides of the
layout for optimization. However, it is also possible to configure it with labor on one side and point-
of-use raw materials or components on the other.
Example: An example of a linear cell would be rugged metal lunch pails where no steps require
repeating, and no equipment is needed to perform more than one task. The material is stamped,
bent, buffed, hinged, and painted in order until the unit is complete.
Types of cell layouts

11. 2. Cage
A cage configuration consists of a rough circle or square, usually with one operator inside the
“cage.” Products may require multiple passes or repeat passes on each machine several times
before completion. In a cage configuration, equipment utilization may be low, and machine use is
intermittent based on part design.
Example: An example of a cage would be a CNC machining shop producing sleeved bearing
assemblies where the sleeves must be milled or turned to tolerance to fit inside one another, then
pressed together, then bored to install grease points, and then pressed again to install the bearing.

12. 3. U-Shaped
One of the most common cell designs is theU-shaped cell. Here, all staff and process steps are
included within the inside of the “U”. This optimizes cross-training and reduces the time required
to produce the part. It also alleviates fatigue and improves communication and collaboration.
Example: An example of a U-shaped cell would be the production of a simple desktop 3D
printer.The product would begin with frame riveting and then move to rod and pulley installation.
The next step would be the wiring harnesses’ motor installation until the completed unit exits the
line. In a U-shaped cell, there may also be other cells of different configuration on the outside of the
U. Cage cells could produce the wire harnesses and feed the wire harness assembly section of the U.
Another cage may cut and buff rods and install rod bearings to supply that need within the U as
well.

13. 4. T-Shaped
T-shaped cells are used for production that requires multiple sources of raw
materials.Subassemblies are produced on the arm of the “T” and converge into a final leg for final
assembly and finish. T-shaped cells work well for semi-finished goods and when different product
lines are serviced concurrently.
Example: One example of a T-shaped cell would be custom cosmetics and consumer goods, where
finished products may be sold singly or in kits with many iterations. One leg of the T may provide
custom initialed soap and the same skin cream, while the other leg produces a unique tray or bag
with multiple fill-to-order amenities.The kits then come together in the final perpendicular segment
of the T.

14. 5. S-Shaped and Z-Shaped
S-and Z-shaped cells are often used to work around obstructions. This may be a beam or girder in
an older facility with eclectic space to consider. It may also be configured around a heavy machine
such as a CNC or metal bending machine where moving it is impractical or impossible. Once in
place, S and Z-shaped cells may act like a U or linear cell, depending on the product.
Cell design impacts cycle time, takt time, waste, fatigue, and many other considerations and allows
process improvement. Because units may be in quantities as low as one and remain efficient, it
reduces work in process and space requirements often overwhelmed with batching.

15. The work cell implementation process consists of several steps. First, the company’s
products must be broken into families. These product groupings may be parts of a
similar design that only vary in size, shape, or functionality. Or they may be grouped by
the method of manufacturing, such as process step or sequence of tasks.
Second, a production flow analysis (PFA) should occur to group families together. Here,
the decision to cluster machines that are complementary to the parts within each
family is critical. It helps determine the number of spare parts and raw materials that
will be required.
Implementation process

16. Often, the grouping of family parts can reduce SKUs within parts inventory. A single
part may be found compatible with another finished product with only a slight
modification done by the cell’s equipment.
Finally, optimization of the processes within the cell can occur. This may include
prominent elements like step counts between stations within a cell or in the distance
from the existing cell to the next cell in the routing.
It may also include planning for material handling, station-to-station product flow, fixed
factory costs, and labor costs.

17. Cellular manufacturing is ideal for single-piece flow and small-lot production. But there
are limitations and drawbacks:
1. Equipment Utilization –In process manufacturing, high-speed automation can
outperform tasks that require many precise steps. In cellular manufacturing,
equipment within a cell may achieve a low utilization rate. This increases the impact of
CapExROI in more expensive equipment.
2. Maintenance Bottlenecks –In work cells, it is not uncommon for the cell to contain
one specific type of machine. If that single piece of equipment breaks, the line is down,
and production may bottleneck.
Disadvantages and limitations of cellular
manufacturing

18. 3. Administrative Issues –Scheduling and purchasing for a cellular factory is complex
compared to process and batch manufacturing. The same is true of MRP systems.
Companies may find that the software that works well in a continuous or process
production environment lacks the functionality to plan and execute within a cellular
environment. Many companies operate hybrid production environments where cells
feed traditional production lines. The manufacturing software chosen must be able to
accommodate both smoothly.
4. Family Group Issues –Just because components may appear similar does not mean
they are interchangeable. This may mean that setup times may still create a lag in
efficiency even when parts are closely matched.
5. Badly Designed Cells –Cells that are poorly designed either in shape or lack of deep
understanding of process steps can increase inefficiency and waste rather than
eliminate it.

19. Cellular manufacturing also has many advantages. If meticulously designed and
optimized for process, and if executed correctly in implementation. A work cell can
deliver many benefits. These benefits include:
1.Improved communication between workers.
2.Shortened lead times between order placement and delivery.
3.Greatly reduced Work-in-Process inventory.
4.Reduced space requirements resulting in less space rented or owned.
5.Vastly reduced waste.
6.Quicker identification of defects due to the lack of “buffered” upstream production
means greater quality control.
7.Easier implementation of zero-defect strategies.
Advantages of cellular manufacturing

20. Due to the disparity in equipment utilization in cellular manufacturing compared to
process, continuous, and batch, the capital investment may be higher. However, it is
not often to realize significant cost savings. These savings are cumulative across several
contributing factors. Overall, labor costs can be reduced as workers walk less. In-plant
packaging may be decreased as transportation requirements and staging is brought in
line.
Of course, as an essential component of lean manufacturing, work cells can slash costs
lost to waste. As cross-training of staff within the cell increases and improves, this too
can impact the cost of quality in a positive light.
Costs related to cellular manufacturing

21. Finally, with better quality and lead time, brand reputation is enhanced, leading to
higher sales and more business. And cells may even help in the iterative process of
designing new products that were not thought of before.
Cellular manufacturing is not for every industry. It must be well designed, fully process-
mapped, and constantly improved to produce benefits. However, with the right
manufacturing software, it can ramp up its benefits and minimize its disadvantages.

22. •In cellular manufacturing environments, cells, equipment, machines, parts bins,
tools, and workstations are organized in a way that would accommodate an
optimized flow of continuous production.
•Each cell in a manufacturing facility is a clearly defined self-sufficient production unit
where workers are cross-trained on all the equipment and tools within the cell.
Key takeaways

23. •When designing a cell, one has toconsider the product, the process, the logistics,
and the layout.
•There are many different work cell layouts that accommodate different
requirements, for example, the linear or I-shape, the cage, the U-shape, the T-shape,
and the S-or Z-shape.
•The implementation process consists of several steps of planning, product grouping,
and consistent optimization efforts.
•When planned and executed properly, adopting a cellular manufacturing approach
can improve communication on the shop floor, shorten lead times, reduce WIP,
space requirements, and waste, and improve the quality of your products.

25. https://manufacturing-software-blog.mrpeasy.com/cellular-
manufacturing/
https://www.mrpeasy.com/