Investigation into the role of various layout designs in the cellular manufacturing system : a case study

Abstract EN

Cellular manufacturing is defined as a manufacturing philosophy that works based on the Groups technology principles.

In Cellular manufacturing, the layout of the factory is meaning how to arrange the equipments, facilities, staff,… etc.

in the factory area.

A good layout leads to reduce the production cost, increase the productivity and improve the quality.

This study aims to design the best layout of the machines on the shop floor of the factory.

Therefore, the current paper attempt to investigate the optimum layout design in the State Company for the Mechanical Industries, which is located in Iskandaria/Iraq.

The simulation by using Arena software was applied to help selecting the optimal layout design.

Five different layout designs were suggested to compare: (linear single row, linear double rows, linear multi rows, L shape and U shape).

However, according to use of the simulation outcomes, the linear layout, with double rows is found to be the best layout design.

It showed better performance in the terms of average waiting time, average work in process time and average total time where it recorded the lowest values with 3.9317 minutes, 11.1370 minutes and 12.9597 minutes respectively.