Plant Layout Optimization Using CRAFT and ALDEP Methodology

By : Vivek Deshpande , Nitish D. Patil , Vilas Baviskar , Jaivesh Gandhi

Page No: 32-42

Abstract
Facility layout design is the field of selecting the most effective arrangement of physical facilities to allow the greater efficiency in the combination of resources to produce a product. The facility planning plays a vital role in manufacturing process because in achieving an efficient process flow it reduces the total cost of manufacturing activity and provides optimum space to give maximum output with minimum effort at the floor area. The manufacturing facility needs to be responsive to the frequent changes in demand while minimizing material handling (Deshpande and Chopade, 2005). By keeping material moving faster, manufacturing time is also reduced. The objective of the facility planning is to achieve the lower work—in process, inventory, lower material handling and production cost (Patil, Deshpande and Gandhi, 2015). The different method or techniques are employed to design the facility layout. The most widely used techniques for facility layout design is Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) by Muther. Nowadays computer programs are used to assist the layout planner in generating alternate layout. In this article, a computerized layout algorithm (improvement type), that is, Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique (CRAFT) technique is presented for improving existing layout. Further, authors have proposed the new plant layout using Automated Layout Design Program (ALDEP) technique. The improvement given by ALDEP over CRAFT technique was found to reduce annual material handling cost by 23 percent. Travel chart is also used here in CRAFT technique. All these aspects are explained in this article with the help of a case study.

Authors :
Vivek Deshpande : Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, G. H. Patel College of Engineering and Technology, V. V. Nagar, Anand, Gujarat.
Nitish D. Patil : M.E. (4th Semester) Adv. Manufacturing System, Shri S’advidhya Mandal, Bharuch, Gujarat.
Vilas Baviskar : M.E. (4th Sem.) Mechanical E, Engg., RCPIT, Shirpur, Maharashtra.
Jaivesh Gandhi : Asst. Prof., Production Engineering, Shri S’advidhya Mandal, Bharuch, Gujarat.