The layout of the first manufacturing cell is another major step to becoming Lean. The design may need to be adjusted several times before it can accommodate the families of parts assigned to it.

Purpose

Who Does It?

A broad cross-section of employees should be involved, including a top manager, a production manager, a quality representative, a maintenance or equipment manager and one or two operators.

Time Frame

1 week

Tools and Techniques

Completed Part Family Matrix used to select a part that can be manufactured from a limited number of material sizes, with the least amount of tools.

Overhead photos or diagrams of the plant floor used to determine where to locate the first cell.

Floor layout of the cell using tape or cutouts used to determine where to locate equipment and machinery.

It is very important to select a family of parts that will lead to a successful cell implementation. The success of the first cell sets the tone for building cells for the entire plant.

Identify the "family" to run and select the machinery needed to produce the parts. Utilize existing machinery if at all possible rather than going out and buying equipment for the cell. Transforming current equipment into a cell and making it work will help prove the cellular concept...