layout types
Basic layout types
The chapter describes four basic layout types. Remember though, at the end of doing this the chapter does make the point that most layout types are hybrids of two or more of these four basic types. Nevertheless it is important to understand each of them so that their advantages and disadvantages can be identified.
Fixed position layout
Unusually, in a fixed position layout the resources travel to the product or customer rather than the other way round. Several examples are mentioned in the text. An additional one is the production of movies. Most movies are shot in a studio and on location. In both cases resources centre around a fixed position (the studio set or the location). This is because moving the actors, technicians, cameras etc. to the set or location is considerably easier than the other way round.
Process layout
Process layouts are sometimes called functional layouts because the transforming resources with the same, or similar, function are grouped together. ‘Products’ with different requirements move between the clusters of transforming resources in different ways. This makes this kind of layout particularly flexible. It can usually cope with a wide variety of different processing requirements. However, it is complex to manage with flows crossing each other and moving on irregular and intermittent paths.
Cell layout
Primarily this type of layout is an attempt to reduce the complexity of process layouts. It divides transforming resource up into small clusters which can be used to act upon different products or product groups. Within each cell layout can be almost identical to product layout (treated next).
Product layout
Here the transforming resources are arranged for the convenience of product flow. It is the processing requirements of a particular product or service which dictates exactly where and in what order facilities are located. The classic image of the assembly line is typical of how we think of product layouts.
The chapter describes four basic layout types. Remember though, at the end of doing this the chapter does make the point that most layout types are hybrids of two or more of these four basic types. Nevertheless it is important to understand each of them so that their advantages and disadvantages can be identified.
Fixed position layout
Unusually, in a fixed position layout the resources travel to the product or customer rather than the other way round. Several examples are mentioned in the text. An additional one is the production of movies. Most movies are shot in a studio and on location. In both cases resources centre around a fixed position (the studio set or the location). This is because moving the actors, technicians, cameras etc. to the set or location is considerably easier than the other way round.
Process layout
Process layouts are sometimes called functional layouts because the transforming resources with the same, or similar, function are grouped together. ‘Products’ with different requirements move between the clusters of transforming resources in different ways. This makes this kind of layout particularly flexible. It can usually cope with a wide variety of different processing requirements. However, it is complex to manage with flows crossing each other and moving on irregular and intermittent paths.
Cell layout
Primarily this type of layout is an attempt to reduce the complexity of process layouts. It divides transforming resource up into small clusters which can be used to act upon different products or product groups. Within each cell layout can be almost identical to product layout (treated next).
Product layout
Here the transforming resources are arranged for the convenience of product flow. It is the processing requirements of a particular product or service which dictates exactly where and in what order facilities are located. The classic image of the assembly line is typical of how we think of product layouts.