Question

What is the U-shaped flow-line manufacturing system? Why does it become so popular? (10 pts)

Answer 1

U-shaped flow line is a manufacturing system,in which workers are collected on the inside of the curve and their communication is easier than straight flow line process. One operator supervises both the entrance and the exit of the line. Machine-work is separated from operator-work so that machines work independently as much as possible.

U-shaped production line as the special type of cellular manufacturing used in just-in-time (JIT) production systems.

It is popular because of U-shaped configuration allows the work cell to be laid out using a fairly small footprint, i.e. reduction of transportation waste.

The floor space is generally fewer with a U cell than stretched line (including inventories and supplies), walk distances are also reduced, as they are Muda (waste).

Some tasks can be handled by few operators, going from one workstation to the next in the cell.According to production task and job contents, even a single person can manage all the work in the cell.

therefore  it become so popular.