Page 232 - DMGT206_PRODUCTION_AND_OPERATIONS_MANAGEMENT

Unit 11: Facility Planning and Layout

Self Assessment Notes

Fill in the blanks:
14. ……………… and ……………… layout represent the two extremes of layout techniques.
15. ……………… layout had evolved to aid manufacturers with intermittent manufacturing
of a high variety of products with the advantages of a product layout.

11.8 Summary

 Facility planning involves decisions about the functional layout and physical arrangement
of economic activity centers.
 Every layout has four fundamental elements which are Planning Units (SPUs), Affinities,
Space and Constraints.

 The four basic types of layouts are Process layout, Product layout, Fixed layout and Group
layout.
 In process layouts, one of the principles of paramount importance is that centers between
which frequent trips or interactions are required should be placed close to one another.
 A number of computerized layout programs have been developed since the 1970s to help
devise good process layouts.
 A product layout is also called a line layout. In this type of arrangement, the various
facilities, such as machine, equipment, work force, etc., are located based on the sequence
of operation on parts.
 Fixed Position Layout is essential when the products are difficult to move.

 Cellular or group layout is suitable when a large variety of products are needed in small
volumes.
 Plant layout is as well applicable to five star hotels and to a cinema hall, where emphasis
is on comfort, and convenience.
 Product layout and process layout represent the two extremes of layout techniques.

11.9 Keywords

A Fixed Layout: It is a layout where the material remains at a fixed position and tools, machinery
and men are brought to the location of the material.
A Product Layout: In this type of arrangement, the various facilities, such as machine, equipment,
work force, etc., are located based on the sequence of operation on parts.

Cellular Layout: It is a layout based on group technology principles. It is a combination of both
process and product layout and incorporates the strong points of both of these.
Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique (CRAFT): A method uses a load matrix,
distance matrix, and cost per unit distance traveled as initial inputs and then tries to improve the
relative placement of the departments as measured by total material handling cost for the
layout.
Facility Planning: It offers real added value improvements to the organization’s core business
at four levels; Site Location, Site Planning, Facility and Building Layout and Workstation Design.

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