JIT Applications for Line Flows:

Figure illustrates a pull system in a simple line flow. In a pure JIT environment, no worker does any work till the product has been pulled from the end of the line by the market. The product could be an ultimate product or a component utilized in later production. While a product is pulled, a replenishment unit is pulled from upstream operations. In Figure, an item of finished goods is pulled from F, the finished goods inventory.

The inventory clerk then goes to processing station E and takes replacement product to fill the void. This pattern continues up the line worker A, who pulls material from the raw material inventory. The rules of the flow layout needs employees to keep completed units at their workstation, and if someone takes the completed work away, the worker must move upstream in the flow to get additional work to complete.

Figure: JIT in a Line Flow Layout