Question

Briefly describe the two main layout types. Provide the main advantages and disadvantages of both types. Which layout type do you believe promotes a more lean system? Provide an example of one of the layouts that is most relevant to you.

Answer 1

Answer- The two main types of layout are-

1- Product or Line layout- Product layout shows an arranged sequence of all the processing equipments and machines. In product layout, only one product of one category of products is produced in an operating area. Some of the advantages of product layout include lowest total material handling cost, less work in process, better utilization of human resources and machines etc.

2- Process or Functional layout- This type of layout is used when low volume of production is required. In this type of layout, machines are arranged according to the nature of operations. The main advantages of process layout include less duplication of machines, more efficient supervision, greater flexibility in equipments and man power to control the load distribution, better control of complicated processes etc.

Lean system- A Lean system describes a business that suggests the way of Lean principles of how it plans, prioritizes, manages and measures work. The main objective of Lean system is to increase the value of customers. It follows an idea of eliminating the waste. The two main goals of Lean system are to remove anything that does not add value to the customer and work systematically to increase customer value. Process layout promotes a better Lean system by arranging the process steps in a natural flow order by putting customers and suppliers next to each other. The most common examples of process layout are hospitals, auto repair shops, colleges, machine shops etc.