| Cellular manufacturing has gained widespread | | | | Large batches of product will also be sitting at the |
| acceptance in the manufacturing industry. The | | | | parts washer, waiting for their time in the cleaning |
| concept of breaking the plant floor into smaller, more | | | | system. Parts that sit for long periods of time are |
| manageable sub units has offered production | | | | more difficult to wash than those that enter the |
| supervisors the opportunity to be more flexible in | | | | washer immediately after they have been formed or |
| scheduling and more disciplined in performing | | | | ground or bored. It is much more difficult to break |
| preventative maintenance tasks. These smaller | | | | the surface tension of coolant, lubricant or oil when it |
| manufacturing units are able to accommodate a wide | | | | has had time to dry on the part rather than that |
| range of product styles while remaining specialized in | | | | which has been recently applied. Idle time will result in |
| similar material. They can also enable the | | | | a decrease of quality cleaning. |
| manufacturer to produce prototype products, short | | | | A central parts washer is also ill equipped to |
| run parts and make minor engineering design changes | | | | efficiently perform its task. By using one washer, all |
| without needing to affect other product lines. Neither | | | | parts are forced through the same system. This is |
| do these cellular units halt or slow production of one | | | | not as effective as sending the parts through a |
| unit to increase that of another. | | | | custom designed system to clean one specific style |
| While the cellular system increases productivity, it can | | | | of parts. |
| still be slowed if cellular washing stations are not | | | | Finally, time is wasted moving parts to and from |
| incorporated into the scheme. A central parts washer | | | | manufacturing cells to the central parts washer. This |
| serving all cells is inefficient and a waste of company | | | | unnecessary movement will slow production rates |
| resources. If a plant employs a central washer, they | | | | and add unnecessary cost to the project. |
| can expect to see several downsides. | | | | The answer to this problem is the incorporation of |
| First, there will be a glut of heavy, dangerous forklift | | | | small part specific washers at each of the |
| traffic as parts are transported to and from the | | | | manufacturing cells. Installation of these washers will |
| washer. These loads not only will take up floor space, | | | | combat the wastefulness of the central system as |
| but will also require fork truck drivers who will be a | | | | well as result in higher quality parts. |
| monetary drain on the company since fork drivers | | | | The cells will be able to wash each part immediately |
| only provide transport to and from the parts washer | | | | after production. By doing this the manufacturer |
| and the cost for their service adds nothing to the | | | | eliminates wait time and prevents lubricant from |
| value of the product. | | | | drying and becoming very difficult to remove. These |
| Further, the parts will be transported in large bins that | | | | units also significantly cut back on forklift traffic, |
| are contaminated with soil. Dirty parts are dumped | | | | making the plant floor a safer, less congested area |
| into these bins. The dirt on the parts contaminates | | | | as well as reducing labor costs. |
| the bins. Clean parts are transported in these dirty | | | | Thus, the inventory of unwashed parts is eliminated, |
| bins. This renders the washing process pointless since | | | | parts are cleaned more easily and parts are cleaned |
| the clean parts are soiled once again as soon as they | | | | more effectively for lower cost per piece. |
| are exposed to the interior of a dirty transporting bin. | | | | |