Page 125 - DMGT501_OPERATIONS_MANAGEMENT

Unit 4: Process Selection and Facility Layout

5. "U" meaning that it is unimportant the activities be close to each other, and Notes
6. "X" meaning that the activities should not be close to each other.
For each relationship defined, the reason(s) why a specific closeness rating was used is also
noted.

4.12 Summary

Process technology decisions relate to organizing the process flows, choosing an
appropriate product-process mix, adapting the process to meet strategic objectives, and
evaluating processes.

Each process is a single activity or a group of activities that are linked together in different
patterns to produce the final product. Processes need to be categorized to describe the
patterns that are formed when they are linked together.

There are many ways in which processes can be categorized. They can be categorized on
the basis of their orientation, e.g., market orientation or manufacturing processes; they
may also be categorized on the basis of the production methodology or customer
involvement.

A typical flexible manufacturing system can completely process the members of one or
more part families on a continuing basis without human intervention.

Flexibility in manufacturing is the ability of a manufacturing system to respond at a
reasonable cost and at an appropriate speed, to planned and unanticipated changes in
external and internal environments.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing, known as CIM, is the phrase used to describe the
complete automation of a manufacturing plant, with all processes functioning under
computer control and digital information tying them together.
The Facility Layout plan institutionalizes the fundamental organizational structure. Facility
layout can be categorized into four major types: process layout, product or line 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.

Process Layout is best suited for non-standardized products; where there is a low volume,
high variety manufacturing environment; where the market requires frequent change in
product design.
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.
An ideal assembly line would be one where tasks are assigned to different workstations in
such a way that the total processing times at each workstation is equal. If every station
used up an equal amount of task time, no time would be idle time.

Fixed Position Layout is essential when the products are difficult to move. Need for such
type of layouts arises in case of extremely large and heavy products.

The group technology principle suggests that parts which are similar in design or
manufacturing operations are grouped into one family, called a part-family. For each
part-family, a dedicated cluster of machines (called 'machine cells') are identified.

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