A comprehensive flowline classification scheme

Abstract

Accumulation of knowledge in and practical experience of simple flowlines and group technology flowlines indicates that no comprehensive classification of the alternative configurations is available. Those developed in the mass production context do not sufficiently reflect the possibilities in group systems, while those quoted in the group technology context tend to be superficial|This paper is aimed at overcoming this problem. It integrates all the varieties of flowlines into one classification scheme. It also suggests the materials flow system for each identified flowline in the scheme.