Before revision: Advantages Easy management: low work in progress and scheduling without simultaneous processing of different products Low need for manpower Less space needed (compare with job shop) Less output variability: no alternative technological cycles and quality control is more effective (less WIP and easier to automate) High system saturation: less production mix variability Fast Lead Times Compare to job shop Disadvantages Very low flexibility Risk of obsolescence: due to new product introduction High vulnerability to failures: a failure in a single machine blocks the whole system in very short time Further reading A. Portioli, A. Pozzetti, Progettazione dei sistemi produttivi, Hoepli 2003 R.G.
After revision: Compare to job shopAdvantages Easy management: low work in progress and scheduling without simultaneous processing of different products Low need for manpower Less space needed (compare with job shop) Less output variability: no alternative technological cycles and quality control is more effective (less WIP and easier to automate) High system saturation: less production mix variability Fast Lead Times Compare to job shop Disadvantages Very low flexibility Risk of obsolescence: due to new product introduction High vulnerability to failures: a failure in a single machine blocks the whole system in very short time Further reading A. Portioli, A. Pozzetti, Progettazione dei sistemi produttivi, Hoepli 2003 R.G.