Anleggslayout

Anleggslayout, or plant layout, is the arrangement of facilities, equipment, and work areas within a building or site to support the intended process flow and optimize material handling, throughput, safety, and cost. It covers the placement of machines and workstations, storage areas, loading docks, aisles, utilities distribution, and control rooms, with the aim of minimizing travel, waiting, and handling of materials.

Types of layouts include process layout, which groups similar machines by function; product or line layout, which arranges equipment in sequence to support a continuous flow; fixed-position layout, which keeps the product stationary while workers and equipment move around it; and cellular layout, which partitions the process into work cells that perform a family of products with minimal movement. Hybrid layouts combine elements as needed.

Key considerations include product mix and volume, process requirements, throughput targets, space and access constraints, material handling systems (conveyors, automated storage, forklifts), utilities and safety zones, ergonomics, regulatory compliance, and flexibility to accommodate demand changes.

The design process typically involves data collection and process analysis, layout planning and evaluation, implementation and installation, and post-occupancy review. Tools such as flow diagrams, spaghetti diagrams, and simulations support decision making. Modern practice often relies on computer-aided design and discrete-event simulation to compare scenarios.

Performance is assessed with metrics such as throughput, cycle time, overall equipment effectiveness, travel distance, inventory levels, and safety performance. A well-designed layout reduces waste, improves balance and visibility, and supports maintenance and future changes.