7: DESIGN: Layout and Flow

Question 1

What is layout?

Answer 1

Allocation of tasks and relative positioning of transforming resources which dictate the flow of transformed resources

Question 2

What are the 4 layout types?

Answer 2

Fixed-position, functional, cell and product

Question 3

What effect does layout have on other things?

Answer 3

Cost and flexibility are influenced by layout

Question 4

What influences layout? (3)

Answer 4

Influenced by process types, volume-variety characteristics and objectives of operation

Question 5

What is layout design trying to achieve? (7)

Answer 5

Staff comfort, safety to customers and staff, accessibility to customers and staff, information/material flow, use of space, long-term flexibility, conventional operation objectives

Question 6

How should each basic layout type be designed in detail? Fixed-position.

Answer 6

Fixed-position: transforming resources are moving around transformed one. Resource location analysis is used to minimise cost and inconvenience of flow.

Question 7

How should each basic layout type be designed in detail? Functional.

Answer 7

Functional: transforming resources are grouped up. Manual/computer-based methods are used to minimise distance travelled by transformed resources.

Question 8

How should each basic layout type be designed in detail? Cell.

Answer 8

Cell: resources needed for a particular product are grouped together. Production flow analysis is used to group products so cells can be around their needs

Question 9

How should each basic layout type be designed in detail? Product.

Answer 9

Product: Transforming resources are lined up in a sequence, so it comes handy for products. Line balancing is used to allocate tasks.

Question 10

What does product layout include and what does it affect?

Answer 10

Includes: cycle time, number of stages in operation and task allocation.
Affects: cost, flexibility, robustness, staff attitude towards work