Group technology identifies components by a coding scheme that specifies the

Group technology (GT) is a manufacturing philosophy that aims to leverage the similarities in parts to improve efficiency in production and design. The main tool used in group technology is a coding scheme that classifies components into families based on their geometrical shape, size, function, or the process needed for their manufacture. This coding scheme allows for the quick identification, retrieval, and analysis of component characteristics.

This coding scheme typically specifies:

1. Geometry of the component: Shape, size, and other geometric attributes. 2. Material type: The type of material from which the component is made. 3. Manufacturing process: The processes required to produce the component, such as casting, milling, drilling, etc. 4. Functionality: The use or function of the part in its assembled state. 5. Tolerances and finishing: Precision levels and surface finishes required for the part. 6. Complexity: The complexity level could also be a factor in the coding scheme.

For example, a simple alphanumeric code might be used, where each letter or digit represents a specific attribute or category. So, a part with the code "A24B7" could indicate a part from family 'A' (maybe gears), with a '24' signifying a particular size range or attribute, 'B' could denote the material (such as brass), and '7' might indicate a specific manufacturing process or tolerance level that must be followed.

The precise structure of the code will vary depending on the complexity and requirements of the items being classified, but the purpose remains the same: to group similar parts together so that production can be streamlined by applying common processes to all members of a part family, improving both efficiency and quality.