Configuration of Manufacturing Line using Cell Operating System on a Patch and Serter 
Installation System
Bryan Cruz 
Advisor: Hector J. Cruzado, PhD, PE
Graduate Program in Engineering Management
Abstract Methodology Results and Discussion Conclusions
The objective of this project was to implement a new product to Medical devices companies maintain continuous development of After completing the configuration of the manufacturing line, all The manufacturing line capacity using Cell Operating System
the manufacturing assembly line at medical devices company. The new products to obtain long-term contracts with their clients and equipment was located in the corresponding area. Once the (COS) Method on the company to improve by Cellular infrastructure
product is categorized at a high inventory level. The manufacturing receive new clients. To be competitive always use methods that configuration of the manufacturing line was completed, the capacity system. The manufacturing line was performed on the layout to
line was moving from a manual assembly process in some reduce manufacturing costs and improve the capabilities of the is 608 units per day. This capacity was increased during the line improve the processing time per product.
processes to a semi-automatic assembly process. The medical manufacturing line to comply with the demand. Therefore, the improvements were close and implemented. These improvements of The first goal of the project was to increase the quantity of the
devices company was able to use the Cell Operating System medical devices industries obtain for use the different methodology the manufacturing line established a new capacity, new design of product manufactured since this new product was categorized at a
(COS), increasing the capacity of the installation system. This to achieve the desired results. some components of the manufacturing equipment. When all high inventory level. The result of the project demonstrates that this
Lean Manufacturing method was applied to increase the capacity A medical devices company has a manufacturing assembly line improvement was incorporated at the manufacturing line to proceed goal was achieved. The manufacturing line capacity increased from
of the installation system and aiming to move products through the that implemented a new product. This new product is categorized as the material in the continuous flow obtain a new capacity. A second- 608 to 745 units per day. The improvement represents an increase of
assembly line one piece at a time. All equipment of the assembly high inventory level for the demand. The manufacturing line that time study of the manufacturing line was completed and is presented 22.5% in the manufacturing line capacity.
line was modified to stop and signal when a process is complete or processes the product has a high-cycle time which impacts the in Figure 2. The implementation of improvement of the The second goal of the project was to reduce the cycle time of the
if a problem occurs. The lean manufacturing method was also manufacturing output line. By moving from a manual assembly manufacturing line was worked by phase. installation system process since impacts the manufacturing output
applied to reduce defects that result from processing and product process to a semi-automatic assembly process, the medical devices line. To achieve this goal, the manufacturing line was configurated to
changeovers. company was able to use the Lean Manufacturing method, reduce be grouped according to the process requirements for a set of similar
the cycle time and increase the capacity of the installation system
items that require similar processing (Figure 1), and the
Introduction process. This Lean Manufacturing method helps to increase the implementation of improvement of the manufacturing line was
capacity of the installation system process.
completed (Figure 2). This configuration provided faster processing
Medical devices companies maintain continuous development of Based on the evaluation of the different types of configurations for
time, less material handling, less work-in-process inventory, and
new products to obtain long-term contracts with their clients and the cellular manufacturing line, Cell Type U was selected. The
reduced setup time all of which reduce costs. Another benefit of the
receive new clients. To be competitive always use methods that selected Cell Type “U” in Figure 1 represents the shape of the
improvement is the reduction of downtime due to equipment
reduce manufacturing costs and improve the capabilities of the manufacturing line and the location of all equipment of the
maintenance and production used a method to achieve a continuous
manufacturing line to comply with the demand. Therefore, the manufacturing line that creates a continuous flow to proceed the
improvement of the process.
medical devices industries obtain for use the different methodology material that completes the product.
to achieve the desired results. Upon completing the configuration, a time study of the line was
A medical devices company has a manufacturing assembly line that carried out. On the first-time study, it was observed that some
implemented a new product. This new product is categorized as high equipment needs improvements to reduce the time cycle of the patch
inventory level for the demand. The manufacturing line that installation process. Afterward, the manufacturing line obtained a Figure 2 Bibliography
processes the product has a high-cycle time which impacts the capacity of 608 units per day. For a couple of weeks, meetings were Capacity of Manufacturing Line
manufacturing output line. By moving from a manual assembly held with the different process engineers to make decisions of R. Anthony Inman, “Layout”. Available:
process to a semi-automatic assembly process, the medical devices improvements to the manufacturing line and a series of activities to The goal is to minimize the travel distance between each step and http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Int-
company was able to use the Lean Manufacturing method, reduce be completed were established. The improvement of the cycle. Also, empower operators and set multimachine and Loc/Layout.html
the cycle time and increase the capacity of the installation system manufacturing line were the followings: multiskilled operators as a standard. Balance the work to create a R. Anthony Inman, “Cellular Manufacturing”. Available:
process. This Lean Manufacturing method helps to increase the • Incorporate a planarity inspection using the Keyence brand sensor. flow between workstations that meet demand. Incorporating the http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/BUN-
capacity of the installation system process. • Remove the 100% inspection on the patches, since it was carried improvements increased the capacity from 608 to 745 units per day. Comp/Cellular-Manufacturing.html
out in the incoming by sampling size. Before implementing the improvements to the manufacturing line, Alfredo Necoechea Hasfield, Braulio Pozos Lopez, Paola
Problem • Replace some microscopes with inspection cameras. the yield was 88%. Work was done on improving the patch Sandoval Jimenez & Rodolfo A. Rivera Zacaula, Diseño de una
• Improve the cycle time of some equipment. installation equipment to increases that percentage. Celda de Manufactura, Tecnológico de Monterrey, May 10, 2018,
The objectives of this project were to increase the capacity of the
After the line improvements, the capacity increased to 745 units Available:
assembly manufacturing line, reduce the cycle time of the
per day in two shifts. This increment of capacity was 22.5% of more https://repositorio.tec.mx/handle/11285/629567?show=full
installation system process, and improve the manufacturing line to output of the product in the manufacturing line. The cell
AMAIA Systems, “What is a Cellular Manufacturing?”, Available:
produce more products per hour without compromising the quality manufacturing was configurated to use a total of 10 operators multi-
https://www.amia-systems.com/what-is-cellular-manufacturing/
of the product. skilled per shift.
This article will contribute to the medical device company
increasing its manufacturing capacity. The research contributes to
reducing the time associated with the manufacturing process of the
product. From the client’s perspective, the client will receive a
product of high quality. The medical device company will increase
Figure 1
its capacity to meet the customer demand for the product.
Cell Manufacturing Type U