A Facility Layout Method Linked to Production Scheduling

In this paper, we propose a method of facility layout which allows scheduling flexibility corresponding to variations in production at different periods. The critical transportation is defined as the transportation between facilities which has zero idle time in the production schedule using only operation time. To determine the layout in the first period, the facilities with critical transportation are positioned so that they are as close as possible. After the second period, facilities whose critical transportation quantity is greater than that of the preceding period are rearranged, taking into account the re-layout cost, and the layout is determined such that the total flow time of rescheduling, including transportation time, is minimized. The final period layout is the one which can be utilized in all periods.