Mgmt 420 Product Layout

Module 4 Report
Aaron Shepard
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
MGMT 420
February 3, 2018 Product layout “is an arrangement based on the sequence of operations that is performed during the manufacturing of a good or delivery of a service” (Collier & Evans, 2014). This can be seen as a step within the process which permits for cyclic assembly of highly standardized products. This manufacturing style uses machines and equipment along an assembly line to accomplish a specific step at each stop along the assembly process. An industry product layout can easily transfer small batches of semi-finished products directly to the next workstation in a product line to make a complete product from many sub-assemblies. Product layout can be

This method typically requires a lower investment for equipment. Additionally, if a piece of equipment within the assembly plant breaks down, it does not generally impact the entire assembly system. There is also an increased diversity of projects within the same factory, allowing for the workers to have more job satisfaction by not repeating the same tasks day in day out. The process layout requires the workers to have a little more skilled as compared to the product layout. In addition, managers can expect to pay more in material handling costs and have more complicated control systems within the factory. The process layout is basically a continuous operation which has been designed for an industry plan which aims at improving operations and efficiencies of the plant. The process layout supports in cultivating the efficiency of processes in the plant by setting up the equipment in such a way that eliminates any waste of material or time. Process layout allows the plant to produce at economies of scale and also help in combining resources to strengthen the available workforce. An example of the process layout can be seen in factories that assemble clothing as well, however in this layout many different clothing items can be sewed together in one area, then inspected, wrapped and packaged for different items in a separate area. One particular

In the cellular layout, we can expect anywhere from 1 to 3 workers per machine to tend to the operation process of loading/unloading and moving the product to the next station of the manufacturing process. The cells are closely located to one another and the various work stations, allowing for a reduced size of material handlers. The work flow typically works in a clockwise or counter-clockwise order to keep the workflow moving smoothly. In group/cellular layout the machinery is arranged according to the processing requirement for a set of similar products which needs similar processes. This layout helps support the cellular engineering theory. These processes are assembled into cells using methods called group technology. On step requires classifying parts with similar designs characteristics such as size, function and shape. An added benefit of this method of production is that it is flexible, motivating and cheap (Inman, n.d.). One example of a cellular layout would be an engine assembly plant. Many different parts are used to build the engine which requires different stations to be used for