GROUP TECHNOLOGY

DEFINITION

·       Group technology is a manufacturing philosophy in which we are grouped the part based on the similarities in design or manufacturing process.

·       The main purpose of group technology is to reduce the overall manufacturing cost.

There are two types of part families :-

a)   Based on the design characteristics

b)  Based on the manufacturing  characteristics

1.  Based on the design characteristics

As a name suggest that the grouping of the part is based on the design characteristics such as geometric shape and size.

Such part may have different manufacturing characteristics due to change in quantity, tolerance, type of material.

For example:-

2. Based on the manufacturing characteristics

Here part is grouped, based on the manufacturing characteristics but having different design characteristics.  

For example:-

Above some figure is given, in this all the part first turning operation is done Hence similar manufacturing characteristics.

Advantage of group technology

1)   Less material handling.

2)   Setup time are reduce in reduce manufacturing  lead time.

3)   It reduces the labour cost.

4)   The use of GT allows faster production thus reducing inventory and work in process.

Disadvantage

1)   Making the group is time consuming.

2)   It needs skilled person to make a group or part families.

3)   Difficulty in analyzing the data.