Comparison of the Assembly Line and Cell Assembly - A Case Study in Mechanical Engineering Company

Abstract

The paper compares the assembly process of milling machine using two systems: cell system and production line which was introduced after the changes in the machine assembly system of the company. Assembly in both systems takes place in the SKD (semi-knocked-down) system, which consists of assembly finished, large parts of the machine (higher completeness units) imported into the country of installation. The illustrated example presents advantages and disadvantages of assembly of milling machines in two systems: cell assembly and on the assembly line. In this example, the employees in each cells conducted assembly of machines divided into stages, which was dependent on the supply of items in the designated field by warehouse workers. Warehouse department receives a signal at what stage the assembly process is and whether the delivery of certain items is necessary. The assembly system was reorganized and replaced by the assembly line. This assembly, as previously cell assembly, is carried out in SKD system, which is a partially exploded into components. Previously assembly method took place in three stages. After the change to the assembly line this process takes 14 steps.