Application of PLM systems in group technology approach

Group Technology can be considered as a theory of management based on principle that similar things should be done in a similar way. In the context of given research this means product design, production, assembly and production control. This research proposes a model of comparing an old and new production structures to determine whether new product is compatible with the processes and tooling of an existing part families in manufacturing system organized in cells. Model proposes enhancing the cell manufacturing system with performances of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. Hence, the production experience can be quickly obtained, and standard process plans and tooling can be easily developed using PLM system. Possibility of synergetic use of Group Technology (GT) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is analyzed and discussed.