and its TYPES.

• Meaning of Plant Layout

• Principles of Plant Layout
• Types of Plant Layout
• Layout refers to the configuration of departments,
work centre and equipment with particular emphasis
on movement of work(customers or materials) through
the system.

• PLANT LAYOUT is the floor plan of the physical facilities

which are used in production . Layout planning refer to
the generation of several possible plans for the spatial
arrangement of physical facilities and select the one
which minimizes the distance between the
department.
 Minimize investment in equipment.
 Minimize overall production time.
 Utilize existing space most effectively.
 Provide for employee convenience, safety and comfort.
 Maintain flexibility of arrangement and operation.
 Minimize materials-handling cost.
 Facilitate the manufacturing process.
 Facilitate the organizational structure.
 Principle of Minimum Travel
 Principle of Sequence
 Principle of Usage
 Principle of Compactness
 Principle of Safety and Satisfaction
 Principle of Flexibility
 Principle of Minimum Investment
 Process layout.
 Product layout.
 Group layout.
 Fixed position layout.
Process Layout also called as functional layout. It is designed for a
“lot job” which involves grouping together of like machines in a
single department.
ADVANTAGES
 Machines are better utilized; fewer machines are required.
 A high degree of flexibility in terms of task allocation to machines exists.
 Comparatively low investment in machines is required.
 The diversity of tasks offers a more interesting and satisfying occupation for the
operator.
LIMITATIONS
 Material handling cost will be high.
 Production planning and control systems are more involved.
 Large amounts of in-process inventory will result.
 Space and capital are tied up by work in process.
 Higher grades of sills are required.


Product Layout also called as “Straight line layout”, typically used for
serialized manufacture. This involves arrangement of machines in
one line, depending upon the sequence of operations.
ADVANTAGES

 The flow of product will be smooth and logical in flow lines.

 In-process inventory is less.

 Throughput time is less.

 Material handling cost is minimum.

 Simple production planning and control systems are possible.

 Less space is occupied by work in transit and for temporary storage.

LIMITATIONS

 A breakdown of one machine in a product line may cause stoppages of machines in the downstream of
the line.

 A change in product design may require major alteration in the layout.

 The line output is decided by the bottleneck machine.

 Comparatively high investment in equipments is required.

Combined Layout is a combination of product and process layouts
with emphasis on the either is noticed in most industrial
establishments.

PROCESS LAYOUT PRODUCT LAYOUT

Product varies operation Manufacturing various

component parts

sharping welding Heat treatment Assembly

A B C D E
ADVANTAGES

 Increase productivity

 Increase customer service

 Effective machine operation.

 Increase reliability of estimates.

 Decrease planning effort, paper work ,setting time ,work in progress,

overall production time ,finished part stock, overall cost.

LIMITATIONS

 This type of layout is not feasible for all situations. If the product mix is
completely dissimilar, then we may not have meaningful cell formation.
• Fixed Position Layout also called as “Static Layout”. This is followed in
the manufacture of bulky and heavy products such as locomotives,
ships, boilers and generators.
ADVANTAGES
 Material movement is reduced.
 Promotes pride and quality.
 Highly flexible, can accommodate changes in product design,
product mix.
LIMITATIONS
 Personal and equipment movement is increased.
 Require greater skill of personnel.
 Requires general supervision.