Plant layout is placing of the right equipment coupled with right method in the right place to permit the processing of a product in the most effective manner through the shortest possible distance and shortest possible time.
A Plant Layout involves: 1. Planning and arranging manufacturing machinery, equipment and services for the first time in new plants; 2. Te improvement in layouts already in use in order to introduce new methods and improvements in the manufacturing procedures.
Objectives of a good plant layout:
The following objectives can be attained by a proper design of layouts: 1. Economy in handling materials, WIP and finished goods. 2. Minimization of production delays. 3. Lesser WIP and minimum manufacturing cycle time. 4. Efficient utilization of available space. 5. Easy supervision and better production control. 6. Greater flexibility for changes in product design and future expansion. 7. Better working conditions by eliminating causes of excessive noise, smoke etc.
Plant Design: Plant layout factors:
The design of any layout is governed by a large number of factors and the best layout is expected to optimize all these factors. The factors can be categorized into eight groups: 1. The material factor to include products, variety, quantity, conversion operation and their sequence, physical and chemical characteristics of materials etc. 2. The machinery factor to include production methods, equipments and tools. 3. The man factor to include number of direct and indirect workmen, supervisory and service staff, safety, work environment etc. 4. The movement factor to include flow patterns, inter and intra departmental transport and handling at various operations, storage and inspection, space for movements, material-handling equipment etc. 5. The waiting factor to include number of temporary and permanent storages, their location etc. 6. The service factor to include