Computer Aided Plant Layout Development for an Aluminum Product Factory.

Abstract

This study presents research into the use of computers as a tool to aid the planning of layouts in factories to reduce daily cost incurred, using developed software.

The approach involves identifying and solving plant layout problems (especially closeness relationship problems) thereby generating an ideal layout through the use of computer software which was developed using the programming language known as Visual Basic. A building products fabrication plant in Lagos, Nigeria was used as a case study in the research. It was discovered that the computer software developed (AUTO LAY 2010) could be used to generate alternative layouts which are more effective as it reduced material movement between departments and hence lowered Transportation cost, these ultimately reduces the relative cost of setting up facilities in a company. The results derived from the application of AUTO LAY 2010 to the case study company generated a layout with a cost reduction of ₦500.00, ₦33,000.00, and ₦1,000.00 daily in the office, production, and whole plant sections of the case study factory respectively, resulting in a cost reduction of ₦34,500.00 daily and about N9 million annually. These results show that the use of computer software in modern facility design will not only save costs but also enhance production and thereby increase the profit margins in the manufacturing industry.