Title: Performance analysis of Virtual Cellular Manufacturing: a simulation study

Authors: R. Jayachitra, P.S.S. Prasad

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641004, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641004, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Layout design and planning is becoming critical due to shorter product life cycles and highly dynamic demand conditions. In this context, cellular layouts are proposed over traditional layouts like product and functional layouts. But cellular layouts need a complete relocation of resources, which consume time and money. This paper studies the relative performance of virtual cellular layout, functional layout and cellular layout of an automotive component manufacturing industry. A simulation model representing the industry is built in WITNESS 2006 to study the layouts. The results indicate that the performance of virtual cellular layout is relatively superior to that of functional layout and marginally inferior to cellular layout in terms of cost and other performance.

Keywords: functional layouts; virtual cellular layouts; simulation models; virtual manufacturing cells; cellular manufacturing; manufacturing cells; performance analysis; layout design; layout planning; product life cycles; dynamic demand; product layouts; resources relocation; relative performance; automotive components; manufacturing industry; WITNESS 2006; performance costs; services management; operations management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2011.037442

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.92 - 107

Published online: 11 Mar 2015 *

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