International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013 1

ISSN 2250-3153

Analysis and Simulation of Factory Layout using

ARENA
Bobby John *, Jenson Joseph E *

*Department of Mechanical Engineering, SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Kerala, India

Abstract- Attempt is made to simulate the factory layout using the software ARENA (student’s version). Utilization of each
machine is calculated. The efficiency of production depends on how well the various machines; production facilities and emplo yee’s
amenities are located in a plant. Only the properly laid out plant can ensure the smooth and rapid movement of material, from the raw
material stage to the end product stage.

Index Terms- arena, simulation, layout utilization, KEL

I. INTRODUCTION

T he paper presents solving an industrial problem using software. Here we use the software ARENA (student version) for the simulation purpose. A
simulation study was under taken to find out the efficiencies of the machines in the industry. The main aim is to find out most efficient arrangement of
machines in the machine shop. By the simulation we can see the individual movements
from one machine to other. This paper tries to illustrate how the plant lay out problem can be solved using simulation technique. It also
helps to think how the efficiency can be improved.
Extensive interviews and discussions are conducted withe engineers and top management of industry to get the clear idea of lay
out of plant. A step wise analysis procedure is followed to reduce the complexity

.
II. LAYOUT OF INDUSTRY AND DATA COLLECTION

This study is based on the analysis of existing layout. The existing layout is analyzed. The arrangement of machines is
simulated using the software and efficiency of each machine is analyzed. Plant layout design is one of the basis of plants
work efficiency. For the analysis using ARENA machining time of each machines are calculated and also the inter arrival
time is also noted using these data the material flow is simulated and machines with largest queue is found and also
efficiencies of different machines are found out. The software ARENA is used for plant layout modeling. Different
process are represented by rectangular boxes, diamond boxes etc. The starting and ending are represented by pentagons.
These processes are connected by lines which show the flow of the product.
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In KEL we conducted a work flow study of 4.5Kw shafts. The arrangement of the machines is not according to the flow of work.
The layout of the machine shop is shown below

Lathe Lathe QAD

Power Lathe Grinding Milling Balancing Asse

& drilling mbly

hack saw machine machine
Lathe Lathe Winding

section
Vertica Vertica Radial Radial Shaper Hydraulic

l turret l turret drilling drilling

lathe lathe machine machine press

Figure 1: Layout of New Machine Shop

QAD- Quality Assurance Department

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Assembly
QAD

Power Lathe Grinding Milling Balancing

machine
hack saw machine & drilling
Stacking&

Hydraulic press

Figure2: Flow of 4.5 KW alternator shaft

Data collection
Table 1: Power hack saw

CUTTING TIME INTERARRIVAL TIME

20mints 54s 2mints 01s

18mints 26s 1mints 57s

21mints 02s 2mints 13s

20mints 21s 2mints

18mints 47s 2mints 02s

19mints 54s 2mints 10s

18mints 50s 1mints 55s

20mints 47s 2mints 02s

20mints 30s

Avg 20mints10s 2mints.05s

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Table 2: Milling

MILLING TIME INTER ARRIVAL TIME

51 mints.25s 1 mints.56s

50 mints.20s 1 mints.55s

50 mints.45s 2 mints.02s

51 mints.04s 1 mints.50s

50 mints.29s 1 mints.48s

50 mints.27s 1 mints.54s

51 mints.43s 1 mints.55s

50 mints.12s 1. mints 52s

51 mints.02s

Avg 50 mints.56s 1 mints.59s

Table .3: Lathe

TURNING TIME INTER ARRIVAL TIME

88. mints 56s 1 mints 56s

89 mints.32s 1 mints 52s

90 mints 54s 1 mints 54s

89 mints 24s 1 mints.45s

90 mints 44s 2 mints 01s

90 mints 39s 1 mints 46s

88 mints 57s 1 mints 49s

89 mints 43s 1 mints 55s

90 mints 34s

Avg 90 mints 04s 1 mints.57s

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Table 4: Hydraulic press

STACKING & PRESSING INTER ARRIVAL TIME

TIME

28 mints.26s 2. mints 02s

27. mints 53s 2 mints.14s

28. mints 17s 2. mints 15s

27. mints 58s 2. mints 10s

28. mints 13s 2 mints.17s

28 mints.25s 2 mints 09s

28 mints.10s 2. mints 16s

28 mints.21s 2 mints.12s

28 mints.20s

Avg 28. mints 04 2 mints.11

Table 5: Balancing machine

BALANCING TIME INTER ARRIVAL TIME

38 mints.29s 2. mints 56s

38. mints 56s 3. mints 01s

37 mints.24s 2 mints.11s

37 mints.35s 2 mints.45s

37. mints 45s 2. mints 54s

36 mints.58s 2. mints 22s

37 mints.38s 2. mints 49s

37 mints.54s 2. mints 37s

37 mints.29s

Avg 37. mints 52s 2. mints 46s

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Using these data I simulated the current new machine shop layout of KEL Kundara in arena 10.0(student’s version). Arena is
software used for visualizing the business. Here I simulated the shop lay out in arena student’s version and utilization of each
machines are calculated

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The production efficiency depends on how well the various production facilities, employee’s amenities and, machines are located in a
plant. Only the properly laid out plant can ensure the smooth and rapid movement of material, from the raw material stage to the end
product stage. Plant layout study helps much in improvement in the existing layout.
The 4.5 kW shaft flow is simulated and the results are given below.

Figure3: simulation results

Figure4: simulation results (graphical)

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Figure5: simulation results

The utilization of the different machines is given above. The results show that out of these machines lathe has highest
utilization 26% which is very low. All other machines have very low utilization

SUGGESTIONS

The following suggestions have been made to improve the utilization of the machines

There should be a change in the lay out to improve the utilization

There should much more advanced material handling system

Introduction of new machines may alleviate the problem

Multi skilled employees should be introduced to the organization

Introduction of CNC machines helps to improve plant lay out

Improved lay out design would help the company to reduce production cost

IV. CONCLUSION
The production efficiency depends on how well the various machines; production facilities and amenities are located in a plant. There
should be an optimum relationship among the output, floor area and manufacturing process. KEL came into the field of the Alternator
production by 1970’s .The company is tuned with modern technology. Products are marketed through all India network marketing and
after sales service offices are located in all metropolitan cities. The major customer of the company is Indian railways.
Being a public sector company KEL has its own limitations. But when we analyze the organization, through the efficiency
of work and the brand name they have created among their customers as well as competitors their work was more than that of a private
sector company. This is one of the factors that make the organization in the lime light in this world of competition.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank Mr.SreeKumar T K General manager of Kerala Electricals and Allied Engineering Co Ltd (KEL )
Kundara Kollam India for their technical support and innovative guidance.

REFERENCES
[1] Russel D. Meller and Kai-Yin Gau, “the facility layout problem:recent and emerging trends and perspectives,” journal of manufacturing systems. vol.
15/No 5 1996,
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[2] Anucha Watanapa, Phichit Kajondecha, Patcharee Duangpitakwong , and Wisitsree Wiyaratn, “Analysis Plant Layout Design for Effective
Production,” IMECS2011March 16-18 2011Hong Kong .
[3] Emmanuel S. Eneyo, “A THE USE OF SIMULATION IN FACILITY LAYOUT DESIGN: A PRACTICAL CONSULTING EXPERIENCE,” Proceedings of the
1998 Winter Simulation Conference.
[4] N. Shariatzadeh, “Software Evaluation Criteria for Rapid Factory Layout Planning, Design and Simulation,” 45th CIRP Conference on Manufacturing Systems
2012 n., submitted for publication.
[5] Saifallah Benjafaar "NEXT GENERATION FACTORY LAYOUTS: RESEARCH CHALLENGES AND RECENT PROGRESS" December, 2000

AUTHORS
First Author – Bobby John, graduated in Mechanical
Engineering from Kerala University, doing Post Graduate
Student in Production & Industrial Engineering at SCMS School
of Engineering and Technology, affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kerala, India, Email : bobskut@gmail.com.

Second Author – Jenson Joseph E, Assistant Professor in Mechanical

Engineering Department, in SCMS School of Engineering and
Technology, Kerala, India.
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