Title: Job shop production system to a manufacturing cellular system: an action research study

Authors: Carina Pimentel; Sandra Martins; João Matias

Addresses: GOVCOPP Research Unit, Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal ' Durit – Metalurgia Portuguesa do Tungsténio, Lda, Arruamento C – Zona Industrial, 3854-909 Albergaria-a-Velha, Portugal ' GOVCOPP Research Unit, Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; CMAST Research Unit, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: Organisations are motivated to improve their production flow. This is achieved by a better use of resources, including equipment, people, and materials. The process of changing production systems is a priority for manufacturers in order to make production more efficient. Cellular manufacturing systems provide several different kinds of benefit over traditional production systems, allowing better customer satisfaction. This paper describes a real company changing process from a job shop production system to a manufacturing cellular system, using simple but effective lean practices and tools and following an action research methodology. The achievements obtained by the introduction of the manufacturing cellular system are presented, and compared with the previous system. The improvements achieved were substantial in terms of production organisation, production levels, quality levels, customer satisfaction and workers' self-esteem. Careful selections of the parts and of the human resources are two critical factors for success.

Keywords: job shop; cellular manufacturing; lean manufacturing; lean practices and tools; action research; trial technique.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2019.101114

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2019 Vol.32 No.3, pp.267 - 286

Received: 20 Mar 2017
Accepted: 09 Oct 2017
Published online: 24 Jul 2019 *

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