Chapter – 11: Routing

Definition:

 Routing is the selection of paths or routes over which each product is to travel in
transformation from raw material to finished products.
 Routing determines what, how much, how, when, where, with which to produce.
It establishes the operations, their path and sequence and the proper class of
machines and personnel required for these operations.
 Planning of the exact sequence of work stations to be used in processing a part of
the work.

Objectives and Advantages:

The objectives of routing are to determine the best and cheapest sequence of
operations and to ensure that this sequence must be followed.
Routing also exercises a great influence upon the design of the factory building and
the machines.
Advantages: The economic advantage of routing is based upon the principle of
divisions of labor. The greatest advantage of routing lies in the optimum utilization
of machines.

Routing Procedure:

(i) An analysis of the article to determine what to make and what to purchase.
The decision is based primarily on the relative cost and secondarily on such
factors as technical consideration, purchasing policies and availability of
equipment, and personnel. However, in some situations the skills, know how,
and plant facilities of a supplier are also considered.

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 (ii) An analysis of the article to determine what materials are needed.
Drawings, specifications, standards of quality, and identification symbols are
usually condensed by the routing section into a parts list. Frequently
combined in the part list is a bill of material. This not only shows each part
name, identification number, quantity required, and the application in the
product but also indicates the kind and amount of material required for each
part. From this list inventory control section can determine the adequacy of
the materials in stock or on order and then initiate the purchase of any
additional materials needed.
(iii) A determination of the manufacturing operations and their sequence. The
routing section establishes the operation necessary to manufacture the article
and lists them in their proper sequence on a route sheet or operation sheet.
This form generally shows the part number and description and the material
required and then may indicate for each operation its standard or estimated
process time or its piece work price the type or number of machine used, and
perhaps the tools required.
(iv) A determination of lot sizes. If the product is to manufactured strictly to a
sold order, quantity to be made will usually equal that required for the
customer’s order plus a certain average or allowance for rejections during the
processing. In case of manufacture for stock, the lot size depends upon the
principle of economic lot sizes, the quantity to manufacture is that for which
the sum of the setup and other preparation costs and the costs of carrying an
inventory of the article manufactured is at a minimum.
(v) A determination of scrap factors. The scrap factor may be defined as the
anticipated normal scrap encountered in the course of manufacturing.
(vi) An analysis of the cost article. The routing section also helps the cost
accounting department for cost estimation of the product. The estimate is
based largely on the routing information obtained in the previous steps.
(vii) The organization manufacturing forms. In job order manufacture, almost
invariably among these forms will be a manufacturing order– sometimes
called shop order, factory order or production order. Also prepared are such

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 material requisitions, job cards, labor cards, inspection cards, move tickets,
and tool tickets as may subsequently be required for that particular order.

Factors Affecting Routing Procedure:

1. Manufacturing type employed

2. Availability of the plant equipment and its component parts,
3. Characteristics of the physical plant equipment and its component parts;
4. Human elements.

Route Sheets:

Route sheets tell about specific manufacturing orders. One sheet is needed to each or
part component of the order. Route sheets are departmental; operations in each
department are listed separately.

Use of Route Sheets

1. To check on subsequent steps of control and shop procedure.
2. To register progress of the part from stock to completion and delivery to stores or
assembly.

Information on a Route Sheets:

1. Number and identification of order

2. Symbol and other identification of part
3. Number of pieces to be made
4. Number of lot
5. Operation data. It should include:
a. List of operations on the part

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 b. Departments in which work is to be done.
c. Machine to be used for each operation.
d. Fixed sequence in any of the operations.
6. Rate at which job must be completed. In many cases some allowances has to be
made for spoilage, and additional pieces may be needed for stock or as reserves
for repairs or as spares.

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