Page 360 - Design for Six Sigma for Service (Six SIGMA Operational Methods)

320 Chapter Ten

Performance measures
• Machine utilization
• Production rate
• Utilization of the operator
• Utilization of the bottleneck station
Decision variables
• The number and types of machines in the work cells
• The batch size of a particular part type
• Sequencing of part types within the cell
• Material handling priorities within the cell

Batch Flow Shop
A batch flow shop, or flow shop, utilizes a product layout in which a
sequence of workstations is visited in the same sequence by different
product batches. Batch flow shops are similar to job shops in that many
different types of discrete parts are produced in batches. In a batch flow
shop, however, all flow is basically unidirectional following the same route
through the manufacturing facility in a production-line fashion.

A batch flow shop is composed of one or more production lines that
support a batch flow of parts. Each part may not require processing at each
station and may even bypass some stations, but the same general flow is
followed. All operations on parts of the same type are usually performed
in the same order. Batch flow shops are most commonly found in the
textile industry in which batches of different styles and sizes are processed
through the same sequence of operations. In flow manufacturing, the
emphasis tends to be on efficiency and streamlining flow. A typical batch
flow is illustrated by Fig. 10.6.

Raw Product
material

Batches of semifinished products
Figure 10.6 Batch Flow Shop