Computer Aided Layout Planning for Manufacturing Industries of Ethiopia (Case in Kotebe Metal Tools Factory)
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Date
2009-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Layout planning has been considered as one of the vital areas for improving performance of
any business process. Its main concern is reducing cost by maximizing adjacency of high
interaction components of a system or reducing material handling cost or distance between
the components. Taking KMTF’s layout as a case, this study considered three approaches of
layout design.
The first approach utilized the improvement of the existing layout. Section wise exchange
and machine wise exchanges are made to the current layout to arrive at a better layout than
the currently being used layout. Making the exchange section wise and then using the
machine arrangement obtained by this method to be further improved by machine wise
exchange is observed to give better layout than improving the current machine arrangements.
The exchange has been made according to CRAFT improvement routine.
The second approach has been done to construct a new layout for KTMF sections using
CORELAP construction routine and then improving the constructed layout using CRAFT
improvement routine. But the current layout is observed to be better starting point for
improvement using improvement routine than the constructed layout. This shows the current
layout is good but can further be improved by using improvement routines. To show the
applicability of the approach another study published by Yugoslav Journal of Operations
Research has been explained. This approach is suggested to be used in planning a new
layout.
The third approach introduced is the roll forging machine into the improved layout. The
approach assumes the Roll forging machine is used by four products and the dies for the four
products are brought together with the machine. Accordingly location of the new Roll
forging machine has been obtained using single facility layout problem.
Finally, it is concluded that the current layout is a good initial layout for improvement using
CRAFT algorithm and a better layout is achieved by improving the current layout.
Furthermore, construction routine followed by improvement routine is concluded to be good
means of arriving at good layout in initial design of layouts. The improved layout and Roll
forging are recommended for KMTF shop floor.
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Keywords
Computer Aided Layout Planning, Roll Forging, Layout design, CRAFT