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Sem 5 Prep
← OperationsPlant layout: principles and types

Formulas for this chapter

Floor and cubic space

Floor area = length x width Cubic space = floor area x clear height

Sizing departments and testing the cubic space utilisation principle. Add 15 to 25 % to floor area for aisles and services in a real layout.

clear height
Usable height under the roof structure
floor area
Departmental area, before aisle allowance

Material handling cost of a layout

Annual handling cost = volume x distance per unit x cost per unit-distance

Comparing two layouts. Work with the distance saved rather than costing both layouts in full.

volume
Units moved per year
distance per unit
Total travel of one unit through the layout
cost per unit-distance
Handling charge per unit per metre
Step 2 of 23
The real wordsTheory

What facility layout means

Facility layoutThe configuration of departments, work centres and equipment, with particular emphasis on the movement of work (customers or materials) through the system.
Plant layout (Moore)A plan of an optimum arrangement of facilities including personnel, operating equipment, storage space, material handling equipment and all other supporting services, along with the design of the best structure to contain all these facilities.

Layout decisions arise when designing new facilities and when redesigning existing ones.

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