Facility Layout

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Facility Layout

• Ross L. Fink

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Facility Layout Types

• Classic
• Process (functional, departmental)
• Product (assembly line)
• Fixed Position
• Cellular

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Process Layout
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Product Layout
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Advantages of Process Layout

• More product variety
• Less investment in equipment
• Can share equipment across products
• Redundant equipment
• Training is easier
• Maintenance is easier

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Disadvantages of Process Layout

• More work-in-process (WIP) inventory
• More skilled workers
• More difficult Scheduling--workers and materials
• Quality control more difficult
• Higher variable cost of production

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Advantages of Product Layout

• Lower variable cost of production
• Easier scheduling--workers and materials
• Higher quality--easier to manage quality
• Lower work-in-process (WIP) inventory
• Can use less skilled workers

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Disadvantages of Product Layout

• Larger investment in equipment
• Less flexibility in product offering
• Harder to develop workers
• Little sharing of equipment
• Little or no backup equipment
• Worker dissatisfaction with job

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Fixed Position Layout

• Material, equipment, and workers brought to
  product
• Used for items that are difficult to move--large
  items

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Changes to Classical Layout Types

• Process--arrangement of departments (minimize
  material flow)
• Product--use of general purpose equipment
• Mixed layouts-using different layout types for
  different products

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Cellular Layouts

• Work cell--equipment and workers are arranged to
  produce a family of related products
• Based on group technology