Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
PLANT LAYOUT
Objectives of a Good Plant Layout
Integrate the p/n centers into a logical, balanced and effective p/n unit.
Reduce /Economic material handling
Effective utilization of available space
Minimize congestion of material, machinery, workers
Worker convenience and job satisfaction/Improved work conditions
Better supervision
Flexibility of plant & workspace design for expansion/to changing production
conditions
Removal of bottlenecks
Quick disposal of work
Minimize accident
Minimization in damage & spoilage
3. Plant layout
Disadvantages:
Skilled & versatile workers needed due to multiple operations
skill combination may be difficult to obtain higher pay
movement of people/material may be expensive
equipment utilization low as they are left at location for
subsequent usage instead of being moved as & where needed
Factors influencing Plant Layout
1) Management policy
2) Manufacturing process
3) Nature of product
4) Volume of production
5) Type of equipment
6) Type of building
9) Service facilities
Sequence of Operations
- Integration of production : Single/Multi flow
- Type of Products : Weight, Volume, Physical state
- Type of Inspection : Centralised/Decentralised
: Frequency etc.
- Management policy: Plans for future expansion, changes in
product design & variety.
Ergonomics and Industrial Safety
A systems-oriented discipline which now extends across all
aspects of human activity.
Its all about interaction between people and the things they do, the
objects (equipment) they use & the environments they work, travel &
play in.
If good fit is achieved, the stresses on people are reduced.
They are more comfortable,
they can do things more quickly & easily
increase safety on the job, &
they make fewer mistakes
Cont.
It is the science of adapting products & processes to human
characteristics & capabilities in order to improve well-being
& optimize productivity
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline
concerned with interactions among humans and other elements
of a system in carrying out a purposeful activity.
Aims to improve human well-being and overall system
performance by optimizing human-system compatibility.
Ergonomics (or human factors) :Human-system interaction
design considerations include physical, cognitive, social,
organizational and environmental factors."
Plant layout Vs Ergonomics
Many of the problems encountered in the ergonomic design of man
& controls will be found in the design of workplace layouts
Bench & seat heights
The efficiency of the operator will depend upon how
the work places designed
Human-system interaction design:
Considerations
Physical factors
Social factors
Workstation factors: Sitting: chairs, work benches,
Displays,
Environmental factors
Human-system interaction design:
Considerations Environmental factors
–Heat
–Lighting
–Noise
HFs Applications:
From these areas an ergonomist takes and integrates
information to maximize the operator’s
safety,
efficiency
performance
reliability and comfort.