Rampersad Enterprises, a machine shop, has outgrown their current capacity and as such, they are planning to move to a larger location. The new space will be 60 feet by 40 feet wide. For this new location, the owner would like to have six distinct production areas, all roughly the same size. Mr. Rampersad is keen on ensuring safety protocols are adhered to and intends on having marked pathways throughout the building to facilitate the movement of people and materials.

His foreman has completed a month-long study of the number of loads of materials that have moved from one process to another in the current building. The information is contained in the following flow matrix.

Question

a) Given this information, propose a layout for this machine, giving a rationale for your decision.(10 marks)

To Materials Welding Drills Lathes Grinders Benders From Materials 0 100 50 0 O 50 Welding 25 O 0 50 0 0 Drills 25 0 0 O 50 0 Lathes C 25 0 0 20 o o Grinders 50 0 100 O C Benders 10 C C 20 0 0Distance between Work Areas 2 3 4 5 6 1 20 40 20 40 60 2 20 40 20 40 3 60 40 20 4 20 40 5 20 6