| In this study, the dynamic performance of lean manufacturing systems is investigated, involving U-shaped cells using the concept of chained labor flexibility. Labor forms a major constraining resource alongside machine resources, and many of the advantages from Lean systems arise from labor flexibility and cross-training, a dual-resource-constrained system context is assumed, with both machine and labor components, alongside several dimensions of labor flexibility such as labor assignment and scheduling rules, and several levels of labor cross-training. In addition, the relatively new concept of skill chaining is investigated. We draw insights from queuing models, followed by simulation investigation of a larger shop setting and statistical analysis of the simulation data. We assume several levels of chained labor flexibility, in addition to other relevant factors such as lot size, setup reduction, and labor assignment rules. The impact of chained cross-training and its differential impact on the performance of Lean systems are summarized. |
Updated 07/09/2013