Q2.

Define process layout, product layout, Group

Technology lay out and fixed product layout.

Answer:

Process Layout:
In Process layout similar items are grouped together. This type of layout
is commonly seen in auto shops and department stores. In an auto shop,
screwdrivers are located in one location, while the car parts are located
in a different location. In a department store women's clothes in one
area, the men's clothes in another area, and the toys in yet another area.
This type of layout is ideal for facilities that perform custom jobs. For
example, auto shops are usually asked to perform a different job with
each customer. Department stores serve many people at a time, each
with a different need.
The disadvantage to this type of layout is its inefficiency. It takes time to
gather all the needed tools and there is a lot of backtracking as products
and tools are shuffled from place to place.

Product Layout:
In product layout, equipment, tools, and machines are located according
to how a product is made. Another name for this type of layout is
'assembly line'. Products are passed down the line from station to station
as they are being made.
Product layouts are specific for the product it is making. For example,
the product layout to make a 4-cylinder sedan cannot be used to build a
computer. Actually, even a change to the 4-cylinder sedan itself may
require large changes to the product layout. If, for example, the 4-
cylinder sedan changed so that its doors now include wireless
technology, then the whole product layout will need to be moved so that
the equipment to install this wireless technology can be put into place.
So we can say that making this kind of change can get very expensive.

Group technology:
Group technology layout brings the efficiencies of a product layout to a
process layout.It is a hybrid layouts combine characteristics of both
process and product layouts. It is created combine the strengths of each
type of layout. Group technology has the advantage of bringing the
efficiencies of a product layout to a process layout environment.
If a company produces many different products, it is possible that some
products are similar to each other in the way they are made and the
resources they require. For example, a company may produce 500
different products. However, if we analyze how each of the products is
manufactured, we may be able to create groups of products—say, one
group of 150, another group of 100, and so on—that are very similar in
the way they are produced. To be efficient, we could place all the
resources needed for each group in a separate area, called a cell. The
production of a group, or family, of items would be done very efficiently
because all the resources required would be in close proximity. This is
the goal of group technology.

Fixed products Layouts:

Fixed products Layouts called the project type of layout. Fixed products
Layouts are often used when the product is too fragile or too heavy to
move through a production or process line. In this type of layout, the
material, or major components remain in a fixed location and tools,
machinery, men and other materials are brought to this location. This
includes manufacturers that produce items like ships, houses, or aircraft
vehicles. With Fixed products Layouts, the equipment, material, and
workers must come to the production area and the equipment is
generally left on site because it is too expensive or difficult to move. The
advantage to Fixed product layouts is low fixed costs, while the
disadvantage is high variable costs.