Application of System Layout Planning (SLP) in Factory Layout Design

Abstract

In manufacturing setups characterized by low volume, high optionality, substantial work content, and reliance on trivial knowledge, small and medium-scale industries often lack a systematic approach when it comes to redesigning their existing manufacturing lines or launching new manufacturing process lines. Traditional approaches to plant layout design, while having served their purpose in the past, come with inherent limitations and challenges that may hinder the adaptability and competitiveness of manufacturing facilities in the United States. This white paper delves into the pivotal role of plant layout design in industrial settings for a manufacturing line that consists of 16 sub-assembly lines, explores the drawbacks associated with conventional methods, and advocates for the adoption of a scientific, data-driven approach, precisely, Systematic Layout Planning (SLP), to overcome these challenges and propel manufacturing into a more efficient and adaptable future.