Meaning

n Plant layout refers to the arrangement of physical facilities such as machinery, equipment, furniture etc. with in the factory building in such a manner so as to have quickest and smoothest production at the least cost.

Definition

n According to J. L. Zundi, “Plant layout ideally involves allocation of space and arrangement of equipment in such a manner that overall operating costs are minimized.
Types of Layout

n Product or line layout
n Process or functional layout
n Fixed position or location layout
n Combined or group layout


Product Layout

n Also known as straight line layout.
n Machines and equipments are arranged in one line depending upon the sequence of operations required for the product.
n Materials move by units in a product line, not by lots.


Process Layout

n Also called functional or batch production layout.
n Machines of a similar type are arranged together at one place.
n Materials move by lots.



Fixed Position Layout

n Also known as fixed location or static layout.
n The major component remains in a fixed location. Equipment, labor and tools are moved to that location. All facilities are brought and arranged around one work center.


Combined Layout

n Also called Group or Hybrid Layout.
n In most of industries, only a product layout or process layout or fixed location layout does not exist. Thus, in manufacturing concerns where several products are produced in repeated numbers with no likelihood of continuous production, combined layout is followed.


Conclusion

n The efficiency of production depends on how well the plant layout is designed. Therefore, the layout that produces the desired volume of products at the least cost is preferred.