Group Technology (GT)

Prof. Hyun Chung

Mar. 12 2015

Group Technology

Similarity matrix

Dendrogram

Direct Clustering Algorithm

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Structural Parts

large parallel parts from plate

large non-parallel parts from plate

internal parts from plate

parts from structural shapes/profiles( Ts, Is, etc..)

built-up parts from plates

built-up parts from shapes/profiles

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Small internal subassemblies from plates and
shapes (foundations, brackets, floors)

Large stiffened flat panels

Large stiffened curved panels

Large stiffened internal structure such as
transverse web

Large components from plates and shapes such
as large foundations

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Structural sub-blocks made up of the structural
intermediate products mentioned previously

Blocks (sections, modules)

flat

curved

special flat

special curved

superstructure

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Outfitting parts (manufactured or purchased)

piping spools

HVAC ducting

electrical panels

valves

pumps

lighting fixtures

shafts

etc...

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Outfitting assemblies (on-unit, unit,
modules)

large and small machinery assemblies/
units

large and small pipe assemblies/units

special (hatch covers & coamings, masts,
etc)

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families

Outfitted Blocks (on-block)

blocks that have had outfit parts and/or
assemblies installed or after assembly, but
prior to erection. Usually a hot stage
prior to painting and a cold stage after

Typical Ship Intermediate Product

Groups or Families
Outfit Zones

Spaces onboard the ship in which outfitting
work is completed after erection and prior to
system testing.

Often grouped by predominant work type in the
zone to match skills of specialized work crews.

deck exterior, cargo, hull exterior,
accommodations, machinery, electrical

Typical Intermediate Product Flow

Through a Shipyard

http://www.akerphiladelphia.com/

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Advantages of GT-based
Ship Production
Some significant economies of scale are
gained.

Schedule is greatly shortened - repetition of
similar work, more parallel work.

Less skilled labor is required.

Greater possibility for implementing
automation.

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Disadvantages of GTbased Ship Production

Requires exceptional planning to coordinate
resources, and material and information flow.

Requires a very high level of process control
with respect to intermediate product quality
and accuracy, and task duration

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Disadvantages of GTbased Ship Production

Requires formal production engineering
during design

Requires a change in management focus from
the final product to the efficient
coordination of all production resources
and intermediate products across all
products.

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