| Globalization has challenged all types of industries to strive for world-class performance to help them stay competitive in the global market. Nevertheless, some of these challenges are difficult to overcome in a High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing (HMLVM) environment. For over 20 years, the theories of the Toyota Production System have been used, and implemented for process improvements in all different types of manufacturing systems. However, adapting Lean concepts to a HMLVM can be somewhat challenging. The research of this thesis is a case study that focuses on two tools that facilitate a Lean implementation process in a HMLVM environment: 1) A Cellular Manufacturing approach and 2) Modeling and Simulation. Part one of the case study demonstrates the cell formation process, and part two shows how modeling and simulation can be used to evaluate the performance of a manufacturing cell, to assist with the decision process of implementing Lean concepts. |
