This document defines plant layout and describes its objectives and types. According to the definition, plant layout involves allocating space and arranging equipment to minimize operating costs. The objectives of plant layout include optimizing the flow of materials, utilization of resources, and productivity. There are four main types of manufacturing unit layouts: product layout where materials move sequentially between workstations; process layout where similar machines are grouped; fixed position layout where facilities are arranged around work centers; and combination layouts for facilities producing multiple products. Techniques for designing plant layouts include using charts, diagrams, templates and scale models.

1. PLANT LAYOUT
BY – PARIN SINGLA

2. DEFINITION
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”.

4. FEATURES OF GOOD LAYOUT
 Sufficient space for workers and equipment
 Adequate security and safety
 Sufficient gang-way space for materials and semi-
finished goods
 Minimum material handling cost
 Stores for in-process goods
 Flexibility
 Control

5. OBJECTIVES
 Flow of material
 Optimum utilization of men, equipment and
floor space
 Reduce time
 Minimum investment in equipments
 Ensures flexibility in operations and
arrangements
 Manage production capacity
 Increase employee moral

6.  To ensure safety of workers
 Better supervision and control
 To eliminate unnecessary activities
 Allow high machine or equipment utilization
 Improve productivity
 To avoid bottlenecks and congestion
 To minimise accidents

7. PROCESS
Objective , Production Plan And Machinery
Gathering Information
Develop Process Charts
Develop Flow Plans Of Operations
Determine sequence
Choose of best building or plot for site
Decide locations
Testing

8. LAYOUT PROCESS
1. Objective , Production Plan And Machinery :- Selection of
equipments on the basis of product design and volume of output
to be attained.
2. Gathering Information :-Gather all data like machine load ,
machine data card , templates (pattern , shape)
3. Develop Process Charts :- summary of production activites .
4. Develop Flow Plans Of Operations :- Draft over all flows
plans operation . E g. Process charts , machine load data ,
desired production rate etc.
5. Determine sequence
6. Choose of best building or plot for site
7. Decide locations :- For canteens , washrooms , windows and
ventilations etc.
8. Testing :- In last layout is drawn and tested . Changes are made
if required .

9. TYPES
Manufacturing
units
a. Product
b. Process
c. Fixed
Position
d. Combined
Traders
Service
establishment

10. MANUFACTURING UNIT
A. PRODUCT LAYOUT
 The materials move form one workstation to
another sequentially without any backtracking or
deviation.
 Materials are fed into 1st machine and semi-
finished goods travel automatically from
machine to machine.
 The output of one machine becoming input of
the next.
 E g. Food Processing Unit; Paper mill

11. B. PROCESS LAYOUT
 In this type of layout machines of a similar type
are arranged together at one place.
 The work has to be allocated to each department
in such a way that no machines are chosen to do
as many different job as possible.
 Eg. Process oriented layout for an hospital,
banks, auto repair

12. C. FIXED POSITION LAYOUT
 Here, Major products being produced is fixed at one
location.
 All other facilities are brought and arranged around the
work center.
 Eg: Ship building, Dam construction, flyover
construction.

13. D. COMBINATION LAYOUTS/MIXED
 In many manufacturing units, several products
are produced in repeated numbers with no
likelihood of continuous production , combined
layout is followed.
 Eg: aircraft , ships etc.

14. TRADERS
 Means two outlets carry almost same
merchandise , customers usually buy from that is
more appealing to them. Thus customers are
attracted by Good layout i.e. good design,
attractive colors, ventilation, AC.
 Customer is always impressed by service
efficiency and quality.
 Eg. Cloth showrooms etc.

15. SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS
 Simply customer attract to that center where
quality of services is very good in nature ,
convenience.
 Eg. hotels , restaurants.

16. TECHNIQUES FOR
DESIGNING
Charts and
diagrams.
Operation
process
charts
Flow process
charts
Process flow
diagram
Machine data
card
Templates Scale models
Layout
drawings