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Cellular/Flow Manufacturing

Cellular/Flow manufacturing makes it possible for people and machines to work together as efficiently as possible. Often this requires workstations set up next to each other in the shape of a "U". This is where the term originates, as each production line becomes its own cell.

With cellular manufacturing, you make one product at a time immediately the opposite of mass-batch method, where products are processed and set aside for assembly. An obvious reward is that errors are detected quickly because a welded product, for instance, won't sit around for days waiting for the next step. If the welding isn't right, production is stopped immediately and the error is fixed, enhancing productivity and creating less waste. More benefits include scheduling flexibility, reduced lead-time and decreased inventory.


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