Basic Production Layout Formats
Process Layout
Also called job-shop or functional layout
Similar equipment or functions are grouped together
All lathes in one area
All stamping machines in another
Typical for hospitals
Process Layout
Basic Production Layout Formats
Product Layout
Also called a flow-shop layout
Equipment or work processes are arranged according to
the progressive steps by which the product is made
The path for each part is, therefore, a straight line
Production lines for shoes
Chemical plants
Product Layout
Basic Production Layout Formats
Group Technology
Also called Cellular Layout
Dissimilar machines grouped into work centres (or cells)
to work on products with similar shapes and processing
requirements
Similar to process layout – cells are designed to perform
a specific set of processes
Similar to product layout – cells are dedicated to a
limited range of products
Group Technology
Basic Production Layout Formats
Fixed Production Layout
The product remains at one location by virtue of its
bulk/weight
Manufacturing equipment is moved to the product for
working upon it
Construction Sites
Process Layout: Interdepartmental Flow
Given
The flow (number of moves) to and from all
departments
The cost of moving from one department to another
The existing or planned physical layout of the plant
Determine
The “best” locations for each department, where best
means maximizing flow, which minimizing costs
Process Layout – CRAFT
Approach
It is a heuristic program; it uses a simple rule of
thumb in making evaluations:
"Compare two departments at a time and
exchange them if it reduces the total cost of the
layout."
It does not guarantee an optimal solution
CRAFT assumes the existence of variable path
material handling equipment such as forklift
trucks
CRAFT – Computerised Relative Allocation of
Facilities Technique
Process Layout – Systematic Layout
Planning
Numerical flow of items between departments
Can be impractical to obtain
Does not account for the qualitative factors that may
be crucial to the placement decision
Systematic Layout Planning
Accounts for the importance of having each
department located next to every other department
Is also guided by trial and error
Switching departments then checking the results of the
“closeness” score
