Line Balancing (Designing Product Layout), Cycle time, Precedence diagram, Network analysis, Critical Path Method (CPM)

Line Balancing (Designing Product Layout)

The process of assigning tasks to workstations in such a way that the workstations have approximately equal time requirements

• The process of deciding how to assign tasks to workstations
• Minimizes idle time along line & results in a high utilization of labor & equipment

Perfectly balanced line will have a smooth flow of work

Cycle time

The maximum time allowed at each workstation to complete its set of tasks on a unit

• Establishes the output rate of a line

The primary determinant of line balancing is what the line’s cycle time will be

Facilities Layout Definition, Layout Types, Planning and Selection of Layout

Facilities Layout

An operation or process means how its transformed resources are positioned relative to each other & how its various tasks are allocated to these transforming resources

- The configuration of departments, work centers, & equipment, with particular emphasis on movement of work through the system

The basic objective is to facilitate a smooth flow of work, material & information

• To facilitate attainment of product or service quality
• To use workers & space efficiently
• To avoid bottlenecks
• To eliminate unnecessary movements of workers or materials
• To minimize material handling costs
• To minimize production time or customer service time
• To design for safety

The layout decision is relatively infrequent but important

Process Selection for Facility Layout, Process Types, Process strategy

Process Selection

Refers to deciding on the way production of goods or services will be organized

- Occurs as a matter of course when new products or services are being planned, also occurs periodically due to technological changes in products or equipment as well as competitive pressures.
- Has major implications for capacity planning, layout of facilities, equipment, & design of work systems.