Define facility layout. Basic layout formats: office layout, retail layout, fixed-position layout, process-oriented layout, product-oriented layout, and work-cell (cellular) layout. Explain characteristics of these layout formats, benefits and drawbacks, and various layout differences.
Read a case on Layout Remodeling in Walmart Stores, and understand the main features of this retail layout.
Developing office layout using the Systematic Layout Planning (SLP). See the case on Sateriou’s Souvlaki in the lecture materials. I am discussing this case in the lecture materials, and also in the video. Study data in the Excel file (see the link above) with the SLP example, and also watch the SLP video-part 1 (see the link above) on SLP in Excel.
Developing the process-oriented layout using the CRAFT approach -Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Techniques. This approach does require to apply a computer application of CRAFT. You can watch an explanation of the CRAFT application by going to the following website: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070604487/student_view0/interactive_om.html, and then selecting 6. Process layout CRAFT Solver.
Developing a product-oriented layout using the line balancing approach. Understand line balancing requirements and steps of line balancing. Study the following case: Line Balancing for Fan Assembly Line (in the lecture materials). Study examples of balancing the fan assembly line in the Excel file, and also watch the video-part 2 on line balancing.
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT: CASE #2
The case study #2 is Line Balancing (see the case file Case #2 – Line Balancing). Answer questions at the end of the case. Use Excel to develop the precedence diagram, identify cycle time and minimum number of workstations, identify, and present assignments, and calculate efficiency and idleness of the process and explain them. You can also do all required write-ups in the Excel file. Prepare the case study report in Excel.
