Investigating the factors influencing the shop performance in a job shop environment with kanban-based production control

In this paper, we intended to explore three research questions related to a pplying just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing techniques in a job shop environme nt with the kanban-based production control. Simulation experiments were pe rformed and the results were analysed using a statistical method, planned c omparison. We found that the adoption of cellular layout in a job shop with the kanban system should only be considered if the amount of setup time re duction achievable through cellular manufacturing is medium to large; other wise, functional layout should be adopted. In addition, moving parts in bat ches within cells was found to be more advantageous than moving parts one p iece at a time. Only minor effects of material handling speed on the shop p erformance were identified.