Practical Facility Layout Technology for Industrial Engineers and Educators
When companies have costly factory, warehouse* and office layout projects? how does the industrial engineer (IE) ensure that the new layout is better than the current layout? Millions of dollars are spent on facility layouts every year in Asia, yet the IEs lack the tools required to measure and compare layout alternatives. From Lean Manufacturing we clearly understand that one must first measure a process before making a change. This is to ensure that the change is actually an improvement. IEs need tools to ensure that facility layout changes are actually improvements. Richard Muther pioneered facility layout design when he created his Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) and Systematic Handling Analysis (SHA) methods. Though SLP and SHA remain relevant to industry today, Muther created these manual methods 40 - 50 years ago. When it comes to computerized layout planning, many universities teach algorithms like CRAFT, which have little application in industry. The majority of companies all over the world use AutoCAD for facility layouts. Dr. Dave Sly (PhD IE) considered this fact and took a more practical approach when he automated SLP and SHA inside of AutoCAD. Dr. Sly went further and developed advanced material flow and operator workstation analysis technology. By creating analysis tools, inside of the software used by most companies, Dr. Sly created tools that address the problems faced by practicing IEs. Through the use of practical facility layout technology, IEs and educators in Asia can provide significantly more contribution to industry and, at the same time, enhance the reputation of our profession.
facilities design and location (FD) industrial engineering education (IE) CAD/CAM / CIM (CA) systems simulation (SU) production systems design planning and control (PS)
Robin Owens
Managing Director, Proplanner Asia, Inc. Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines Engineering Faculty, Mapua Institute of Technology Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
国际会议
The Institute Industrial Engineera Asian Conference 2011(2011年国际工业工程师协会亚洲会议)
上海
英文
311-318
2011-06-10（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）