Manag., November-2017 – Q27
| Factors | Fixed layout | Product layout | Process layout | Cellular layout | |
| A. | Material Travel | Fixed path | Variable path | Often high path | Variable path |
| B. | Process | Ship building | Continuous and repetitive | Job or small batch | Small to medium batch |
| C. | Product | Made to order, low volume | Standardized product | Diversified products using common operations | Diversified products |
| D. | Utilization of Facilities | Moderate | Very high | General purpose | High |
- Option : A
- Explanation : Product layout and process layout the two extremes of layout techniques. Cellular layout had evolved to aid manufacturers with intermittent manufacturing of a high variety of products with the advantages of a product layout.
Comparison of Common Characteristics of Different LayoutsFactors Fixed Position Product (Line) Process (Functional) Cellular (GT) Product Made to Order, Low Volume Standardized Product, Large Volume, Stable Rate of Output Diversified Products using common operations, Varying volumes, Varying Rate of Output Diversified Products, Varying volumes Process Ship building, large scale project, construction or industrial project Continuous, and repetitive Job or small batch Small to medium batch Arrangement of facilities Facilities move where the fixed product/project is being implemented Placed along the line of product flow in a specialized sequence of tasks for each unit Grouped by speciality and by function Similar parts are grouped in part-family; one machines cell is formed which contains all facilities needed by corresponding part-family Cost of layout General purpose equipment. Moderate to low Large investment in specialized equipment and processes. General purposes equipment and processes. Moderate to high Moderate to low Inventory Variable inventories and frequent tie-ups because production cycle is generally long. High turnover of raw material and work in process Low turnover of raw material and work in process. High raw material inventory High turnover of raw material and lower work in process Material handling Flow variable, often low. May require heavy duty handling equipment Predictable, flow systemized and often automated Flow variable, handling often duplicated Flow variable, can be reasonably high Material travel Variable path Fixed path Often high Fixed path Utilization of facilities Moderate Very high General purposes High Operating facilities General purpose Special purpose Skilled Special purpose Employee skill Unskilled/skilled Unskilled Ski lled Multi-skilled as one operator may handle more than one operation Quality/Product Variety Ratio Normally 1, as single product production Large (Q/P) Moderate (Q/P) Small (Q/P) Product Cost Relatively low fixed costs; high Relatively high fixed costs; low unit costs Relatively low fixed costs; high Reasonable level of fixed costs; relatively
