Which concept groups machines into a line or cell and restricts workers to operate only within that line or cell to produce families of parts?

• A. Batch manufacturing
• B. Cellular manufacturing
• C. Mass production
• D. Flow manufacturing

Answer: (B)

Cellular manufacturing is about organizing the plant so machines are arranged into work cells that produce a family of parts, with workers assigned to and operating only within that cell. This setup follows group technology: parts that require similar processing steps are grouped together, so each cell contains the machines and tools needed for that family. The result is usually smaller batches or even one-piece flow, reduced material handling, shorter setup times, and closer teamwork, which boosts throughput and quality.

This approach differs from batch manufacturing, where equipment is organized by function and parts move in larger lots between departments, increasing handling and lead times. It also differs from mass production, which focuses on high-volume, long-run production of standardized products on long lines. Flow manufacturing seeks continuous movement along a line but doesn’t necessarily establish dedicated cells for part families.