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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 4 of 23
The real wordsTheory

The objectives

Basic objective: facilitate a smooth flow of work, material and information through the system.

Supporting objectives: facilitate product or service quality; use workers and space efficiently; avoid bottlenecks; minimise material handling costs; eliminate unnecessary movement of workers or material; minimise production or customer service time; design for safety.

One basic objective, seven supporting ones. If the paper asks for "objectives of plant layout", give the basic one first and then as many supporting ones as the marks justify.

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