Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

Second Semester 2018-2019

Mid-Semester Test
(EC-2 Regular)

Course No. : POWAB ZC482

Course Title : PLANT LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Nature of Exam : Closed Book
Weightage : 35% No. of Pages =2
Duration : 2 Hours No. of Questions = 8
Date of Exam : 10/03/2019 (AN)
Note:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q.1. (a) What techniques can be used to overcome the inherent problems of fixed-position layouts? [3]
(b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of product layouts? [2]

Q.2. (a) In what specific areas does the layout decision establish a firm's competitive priorities? [3]
(b) To develop a good facility layout, what must be determined? [2]

Q.3. For each of the following products or operations indicate the most appropriate type of layout. [4]

Product / operations Type of layout

1. Custom picture framing
2. Chemical processing
3. Construction of a subway tunnel
4. Assembly of automobiles

Q.4. The new Health-care facility is targeted to serve seven census tracts in Delhi. The table given below
shows the coordinates for the centre of each census tract, along with the projected populations,
measured in thousands. Customers will travel from the seven census tract centres to the new facility
when they need health-care. Two locations being considered for the new facility are at (5.5 , 4.5) and
(7, 2), which are the centres of census tracts C and F. Details of seven census tract centres, co-
ordinate distances along with the population for each centre are given below. If we use the population
as the loads and use rectilinear distance, which location is better in terms of its total load distance
score? [5]

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Q.5. Define the following terms that occur in assembly line balancing: cycle time, minimum number of
workstations, and efficiency. [4]

Q.6. What is cross-docking? Why is it appropriate for some forms of warehouse layout? [4]

Q.7. Explain how a load-distance model helps solve problems in process layout. [4]

Q 8. Machine A has a fixed cost of $40000 per year and a variable cost of $60 per unit. Machine B
has an unknown fixed cost, but with this process 200 units can be produced each month at a
total variable cost of $2000. If the total costs of the two machines break even at a production rate of
2000 units per year, what is the fixed cost of machine B? [4]

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