A comparison of cell loading practices in group technology

Cellular manufacturing (CM) is an important part of a group technology (GT) program that has received considerable attention from both academics and practitioners. However, there appears to be a gap in the level of success reported on by firms in case studies and surveys, and those reported by researchers using simulation models that compare CM with a traditional process layout. This research examines the equipment loading assumptions made in simulation studies that compare cellular layouts with process layouts. Two different equipment loading approaches used in CM (machine loading and cell loading) are statistically ranked and compared with the performance of a process layout for throughput time and work-in-process inventory level. At lower levels of shop utilization, cell loading is preferrable to both a process layout and a cell layout with machine loading. These results may explain the difference in performance between simulation studies and those reported by firms using CM.