Factory Design and Layout Sample Questions

1. What is the relationship between the volume, variety and flow characteristics of an operating
firm and its layout?
2. How does the choice of the layout affect the operational performance of an organization?
3. What are the different types of layouts? How should an organization decide on which
layout to choose?
4. Identify and appropriate layout for each of the following situations. Justify your choice in a
sentence or two:
a. A manufacturer of garments for shirts;
b. A muilt-cuisine restaurant in a posh residential area in Nairobi;
c. The overhaul of helicopters;
d. An eye hospital;
e. A motor vehicle manufacturer manufacturing four (4) product groups for worldwide
markets.
5. Suppose you are given three alternative designs for the layout of a ship floor in a
manufacturing organization. How will you decide which of the three is the most
appropriate?
6. How does a construction method of layout design differ from the improvement method?
Which method is preferable and why?
7. Is layout design for a service organization any different from that of a manufacturing
organization? Explain your answer in detail.
8. (a) Discuss the relationship between plant layout and material handling equipment.
(b) Explain (i) Material handling in process layout and (ii) material handling in product
layout.
9. (a) Explain the working principle of conveying equipment.
(b) How do you classify conveyors?
10. With a neat diagram, explain the working of an apron conveyor.
11. (a) What types of powered trucks are self-loaders? Give their operating details.
(b) What types of powered trucks are best suited to the movement of long length items such
as pipe, bar stock or lumbers?
12. With the help of a sketch, explain the working of belt feeders.
13. (a) What care should be taken while designing the feeding equipment to avoid spillage of
materials?
(b) Explain how chutes can be used for delivering different types of goods to different
stations?
14. Name the various hoists. What are their features?
15. Sketch and explain a derrick crane.