FACILITIES PLANNING:

LOCATION ANALYSIS
Discussant

Professor D.K. Banwet , FIE

B.E.(Mech.), M.E. ( Prod. Con), Ph.D. ( Indl. Engg./ Prod. Opers. Mgt) ( IITD )

Group Chair- Operations. Project & SCM Former Dalmia Chair

Professor, HOD DMS, Coordinators ASRP , Entrep. Program
Department of Management Studies,
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Email: dkbanwet@dms.iitd.ac.in

NPTEL
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI

LECTURE 6,7
Module 2.4 : FACILITIES PLANNING: LOCATION
(Duration : 2 Hours)

Discussant

Professor D.K.Banwet
B.E (Mech), M.E (Indl. Engg.),
Ph.D (Indl. Engg / Production Operations Mgt.) [IITD], FIE

Group chair (Operations & supply Chain Management)

Former HOD DMS, Dalmia Chair Professor
Former Coordinator ASRP & Entreprenurship Programme
Email : dkbanwet@dms.iitd.ac.in

Some Aspects of
FACILITIES LOCATION PLANNING
Key decisions in the LIFE of a Production system
Birth of
system

Product design
& Process
Selection

Product design
& Process
Selection

Where should fac. be located

Manning of
the system
Revision

Start up of
the system
Termination

System in
steady state

Problems encountered in production operation

management
Long run Prodn Prodn
Fac. Loc. Work Prodn
Problems Design Des. &
Layout & & Job Plg
Process Plg. Des
Design
Short run Prodn Inventory
Problems Control Control

Quality
Control

Operation Mgt. Activities

Periodic
Selecting
Designing Updating
Products
Processes, Eqpt., workforce, Location, Layout

Maint. Cost
Repl. & Control
Rel.

Continual
Operating/
Controlling

Facilities planning
It is complex & broad subject that cuts
across several disciplines
It is the composite of facilities location &
facilities design

Facilities Planning Hierarchy

Facilities
Location
Facilities
Planning

Facilities
System Design

Layout
Design
Facilities
Deign

Handling
System Design

 Hence the objective of facilities planning is

to plan a facility that achieves facility
location & facility design objectives

HIERARCHY OF LOCATION
PROBLEMS
Location of Plant
Plant Layout (Location of Depts)
Physical Arrangements of M/cs
Work Place Layout
(Location of tools or raw materials)

Need for location decision

At Project Feasibility Analysis stage :
Where to locate the new Facility?
Significant changes in the level of demand.
Significant changes in the geographical
distribution of demand.
Changes in the costs or quality
requirement of critical production inputs.
Significant changes in the real-estate
value of existing or adjacent sites.
Depletion of resources.

 Involves the long-term commitment of

large amount of capital under conditions of
considerable uncertainty.
Determines a permanent framework of
operating constraints.
Significant impact on investment
requirements, operating costs, revenues
and operations.
Has significant consequences on the
competitive position of the firm.

Facilities Location Problem(FLP)

FLP Determination of optimal(!!) location of
new facilities
Traditionally these decision have been
taken on the basis of
WHIM,INTUITION,HUNCH or even based
on a DREAM( Sheer absence of Economic
Implications) unfortunately this is still
RAMPANT (Ex. Ministers constituencies
could dictate Loc. Solution

Strategic importance of
location decision
To become the low cost producer of final
products.
To increase profits by planning to capture
the increased market share.
To base location of the facilities based on
customer convenience.
To base location of a facility based on
where it fits in the entire supply chain.
(Beginning, Middle or end of the chain)

Location decisions are STRATEGIC

- long term & taken perhaps once in the life
time of production system.
- LIABLE TO AFFECT THE ENTIRE
ORGANIZATION
- OPERATIVE OVER LONG TIME SPANS
- DIFFICULT TO REVERSE
- CAPITAL INTENSIVE

 Without sound & careful location planning

in the beginning itself the new facility may
spell continuous operating disadvantages
for an indefinite future time.
Ex. Similarity of choosing a spouse & site
location. while it is possible to change
later, the change could be both expensive
& unpleasant

SOME FACTORS
GOVERNING LOCATION
Economic Reasons (Cost,profit,raw
materials, labor, power, transportation,
marketability etc.)
Social Reasons (Employee welfare,
employment, opportunities, public needs,
sanitation, community attitude)
Political Reasons (Govt Policies of
decentralization regional & development
planning)

Some factors Governing

Location contd.
Natural calamities(Floods, earthquakes
etc.)
Security considerations (Risk of military
invasions, sabotage from anti-social
elements)
Political matters (Pollution-smell, noise,
ecology, habitat etc.)
16

IMPORTANT FACTORS IN
LOCATION

MARKET
RAW MATERIALS
TRANSPORTATION
POWER
CLIMATE AND FUEL
LABOUR AND WAGES
LAWS AND TAXATION
COMMUNITY SERVICES
WATER AND WASTE
GOVT. INCENTIVES
17

Location options

Expand existing facilities

Add new facilities while retaining the

existing ones.

Move to a new location

Doing nothing

Making Location Decisions

Decide on the criteria

Identify the important factors
Develop location alternatives
Evaluate the alternatives
Make selection

Factors influencing
Location Decision
Regional Factors

Multiple Plant
Strategies

Community
Considerations

Site-related
Factors

Regional Factors

Location of raw materials

Location of markets
Labor factors
Infrastructure
Climate and taxes

Community Considerations
Quality of life
Services (Medical, police, fire services
etc.)
Attitudes of the people
Taxes
Environmental regulations
Utilities
(cost and availability)

Site Related Factors

Land (cost, degree of development reqd,
soil characteristics etc.)
Transportation
Environmental
Legal

Multiple Plant Strategies

Product plant strategy
Market area plant strategy
Process plant strategy

Comparison of Service and

Manufacturing Considerations
Manufacturing/
Distribution
Cost Focus

Service/Retail
Revenue focus

Transportation modes/costs Demographics: age,income,etc

Energy availability, costs

Population/drawing area

Labor cost/availability/skills

Competition

Building/leasing costs

Traffic volume/patterns
Customer access/parking

Issues in global locations

Trading Blocs
Political Risk
Foreign Government
-Policies on foreign ownership of production facilities
-Import restrictions
-Currency restrictions
-Local product standards
-Environmental Regulations
Cultural differences
Resources
Labour
-Possible regulation limiting no. of foreign employees
-Language differences

Evaluating Locations
Transportation Model
Decision based on movement costs of raw
materials or finished goods
Cost-Profit-Volume Analysis
- Decision based on fixed cost, variable cost and the
level of output produced at a particular location.
Center of Gravity (or Centroid) Method
Decision based on minimum distribution costs
Factor Rating
Decision based on quantitative and qualitative
inputs
Multi Criteria /Analytic Hierarchy Process based FLP

Evaluating Locations
Cost-Profit-Volume Analysis

Determine fixed and variable costs at

each location alternative

Plot total cost lines for all location

alternatives on the same graph

Determine the lowest total costs

for the expected level of output.

Location Cost-Volume Analysis

Assumptions
Fixed costs are constant for the range of
probable output
Variable costs are linear for the range of
probable output
Output can be closely estimated
Only one product involved

Example 1: Cost-Volume Analysis

Fixed and variable costs for
four potential locations (for 10,000 units)

Example 1: Solution
F ix e d
C o s ts
A
B
C
D

$2
1
1
2

5
0
5
0

0
0
0
0

,0
,0
,0
,0

0
0
0
0

V a r ia b le
C o s ts
0
0
0
0

$1
3
2
3

1
0
0
5

(1
(1
(1
(1

0
0
0
0

,0
,0
,0
,0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

T o ta l
C o s ts
)
)
)
)

$3
4
3
5

6
0
5
5

0
0
0
0

,0
,0
,0
,0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

Example 1: Solution
$(000)
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

D
B
C
A
A Superior
0

C Superior

B Superior
0

10

Annual Output (000)

12

14

16

Plant Location Methodology:

Centroid Method
The centroid method is used for locating
single facilities that considers existing
facilities, the distances between them, and
the volumes of goods to be shipped
between them.
This methodology involves formulas used
to compute the coordinates of the twodimensional point that meets the distance
and volume criteria stated above

Plant Location Methodology:

Centroid Method Formulas
Cx =

d V
V
ix

Cy =

d V
V
iy

Where:
Cx = X coordinate of centroid
Cy = Y coordinate of centroid
dix = X coordinate of the ith location
diy = Y coordinate of the ith location
Vi = volume of goods moved to or from ith location

Plant Location Methodology:

Example of Centroid Method
Centroid method example
Several mobile phone showrooms are located
according to the following grid which represents
coordinate locations for each showroom
Y

Q
(790,900)
D
(250,580)

A
(0,0) (100,200)

S ho wro o m

No o f Z-Mo b ile s
s o ld p e r mo nth

1250

1900

Q
2300
X
Question:
Question:What
Whatisisthe
thebest
bestlocation
locationfor
foraanew
newZ-Mobile
Z-Mobile
warehouse/temporary
warehouse/temporarystorage
storagefacility
facilityconsidering
consideringonly
only
distances
distancesand
andquantities
quantitiessold
soldper
permonth?
month?

Plant Location Methodology: Example of

Centroid Method (Continued):
Determining Existing Facility Coordinates
To
Tobegin,
begin,you
youmust
must
identify
identifythe
theexisting
existing
facilities
facilitieson
onaatwotwodimensional
dimensionalplane
planeor
or
grid
gridand
anddetermine
determinetheir
their
coordinates.
coordinates.

Q
(790,900)

D
(250,580)
(0,0)

A
(100,200)

S ho wro o m

You
Youmust
mustalso
alsohave
have
the
thevolume
volumeinformation
information
on
onthe
thebusiness
business
activity
activityat
atthe
theexisting
existing
facilities.
facilities.

X
No o f Z-Mo b ile s
s o ld p e r mo nth

1250

1900

2300

Plant Location Methodology:

Example of Centroid
Method(Continued): Determining the
Coordinates of the New Facility
You
Youthen
thencompute
computethe
thenew
newcoordinates
coordinatesusing
usingthe
theformulas:
formulas:

100(1250) + 250(1900) + 790(2300)

Cx =
1250 + 1900 + 2300
2,417,000
=
= 443.49
5,450
200(1250) + 580(1900) + 900(2300)
Cy =
1250 + 1900 + 2300
3,422,000
=
= 627.89
5, 450

Plant Location Methodology:

Example of Centroid
Method(Continued): Determining the
Coordinates of the New Facility
You
Youthen
thentake
takethe
thecoordinates
coordinatesand
andplace
placethem
themon
onthe
themap:
map:
Y

New
New
location
locationofof
facility
facilityZZ
about
about
(443,627)
(443,627)

Q
(790,900)
ZZ
D
(250,580)
A
(100,200)

(0,0)

S ho wro o m

No o f Z-Mo b ile s
s o ld p e r mo nth

1250

1900

2300

MECHANICAL ANALOGUE FOR

FINDING BEST LOCATION OF A
MANUFACTURING PLANT
(ALSO KNOWN AS VARIGNONS FRAME
AFTER INVENTOR)

Rm
R2
P
R1

2
M1

1
m+1

m
M2
m+2

Mn
m+n

MULTI-OBJECTIVE CONSIDERATIONS
IN LOCATION DECISIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING LOCATION ARE :
SUBJECTIVE / OBJECTIVE (labour attitudes)
(eg. Costs)
INTANGIBLE / TANGIBLE INCOMMENSURATE
UNITS

41

Plant Location Methodology:

Factor Rating Method Example
Two refineries sites (A and B) are assigned the following
range of point values and respective points, where the
more points the better for the site location.
Sites
Major factors for site location
Pt. Range A
B
Fuels in region
0 to 330
12 156
Power availability and reliability
0 to 200
3 100
15 63
Labor climate
0 to 100
0 96
Living conditions
0 to 100
54 50
Transportation
0 to 50
24 5
Water supply
0 to 10
45 4
Climate
0 to 50
4 50
Supplies
0 to 60
8 20
Tax policies and laws
0 to 20
5
Total pts. 418
5 544
Best Site is B

Brown & Gibson Model

Step 1: Identify the factors that deserve to be
included in the study & determine which of thee
absolutely must be satisfied.
Step 2: Collect data for all factors that can be
expressed in monitory units. Then determine an
objective factor (OF) for each site.

OF
i

1

C
i C
i

Site

Annual cots in000 Rs/Lab

Mkting Utilities Taxes Total cost

1
2
3

248
211
230

181
202
165

74
82
90

16
8
21

519*
503
506

*519 = 248+181+74+16
1
1
1
1
C = 519 + 503 + 506 = 0.005891
i
OF1 = 519 * 0.005891 = 0.3271; OF2 = 503 * 0.005891 = 0.3374
-1

OF3 = 506 * 0.005891 = 0.3355; NOTE OFi =1

-1

-1

 Step 3: Intangible factors are rated a per a forced

choice procedure
(i) first applied to rank importance of factors I
k
(ii) then applied to each site to rate how well that
satisfies the factors such as [(A). Hosing (B).
Recreation (C). Competition] S

ik
These two ratings are combined to obtain a subjective
factors (SF) ranking for each site as

SFi = Ik .Sik

Forced choice procedure is

now applied
Factor
subjective

Comparison Sum of
Factor
Decision
preferences rating
(IK)
1
2
3

A (Housing)

2/4=0.5

B (Recreation) 0

=0.25

C. competition -

=0.25

sum

Factor A: Housing
Site

Decisions

Rating
(SAK)

0.33

0.67

Factor B: Recreation
Site

Decisions

Rating
(SBK)

0.67

0.33

Factor C: Competition
Site

Decisions

Rating
(SCK)

0.25

0.25

0.50

Summary of subjective factors

Factor

Site rating

Impact
factor

0.33

0.67

0.5

0.67

0.33

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.50

0.25

Subjective factors for SFi each site is got now

SF1 0.5 0.33 0.25 0 0.25 0.25 0.2275
SF2 0.5 0 0.25 0.67 0.25 0.25 0.2300
SF3 0.5 0.67 0.25 0.33 0.25 0.50 0.5425

Step-4: Now a committee could decide what

weightage to be give to objective 7 subjective
factors say X=0.67 to objective function
Step-5

location - measure.LMi = X OFi + 1- X SFi

\ LMsite1 = 0.67 0.3271 + 0.33 0.2275 = 0.29423

LMsite2 = 0.67 0.3375 + 0.33 0.2300 = 0.30203

LMsite3 = 0.67 0.3355 + 0.33 0.5425 = 0.40381

\ Decision is site 3 is preferred location
Sensitivity test can be done by varying X from 0 to 1

TAXONOMY OF FLP
1. No. of fac. [single, multiple, Loc Alloc]
2. Siting restrictions [Anywhere in plane
planar /infinite set /discrete /finite set;
Constr./Unconstrained]
3. Ancilliary fac. characteristics [static, dynamic,
deter/sto]
4. Weight /Interaction [w 0, unrestr., fixed
parameter /random with some assoc. disturb.]
5. Capacity Constr. [Capacitated, uncapacitated]
6. Planning horizon [finite /infinite]
7. Commodities handled [single, multiple]

8. Objective cost Fn. nature [convex, concave,

linear, non linear etc.]
9. Stage [single /multiple echelon /hierarchy]
10. Distance Norms [Rect., Eucl., sq. Eucl., sq.
Rect., Cp, generalised lp, mixed mode, geodesic,
multi mode etc]
11. Criterion /Objective [Minisum, Minimax,
Maximum, Multiple, Objective]
12. Loc. Policy [private, public, joint sector]
13. Model Families [single /multiple FLP, plant Loc.
Prob., center /median prob, round trip travelling
salesman prob.]
14. Dimensionality [1-, 2-, 3- dimensional Loc prob.]

Codification scheme of FLP

A generalised 6 bit code proposal
No of
new fac.

Crit.
/Obj.

Dist.
Norm
s

Restr.
/Constr

MS

MM

UN

Prob Music
Repr. Remar
ks
P

MMO

(Multi fac) (Minisum) (Mixed (Unconstr.) (Planar) (Mixture

mode)
of [Eucl
+ Rec.])

Condensed 3 bit code M/MS/MM more convenient.

In fact condensed information regarding the type of
problem being modelled/considered can be conveyed
through the codification scheme proposed.

The location solution (decision) could vary

depending on the criterion/objective used &
also on the distance mode of interaction

Minisum Objective
Here location analyst attempts minimizing
the handling effort viz.the sum total of the
weighted appropriate distance between the
reference points (applications-factories, whose
components in network etc.)
Minisum gives an Average(!!) effect

56

 Minimax Objective
In some cases the minisum
criteria may not be appropriate (an
exaggerated eq. of 499 students
walk 1 to school whereas 1student
walks 100 km to school)
Perhaps the mini-max objective
would be more appropriate. Here
one may wish to minimize the
maximum weighted distance.
57

 Here one attempts to minimize the

effect of worst situation (application
of mini-max criteria suited for
emergency service like fire health/
ambulance services, type of
situations.)

58

Hybrid multi objective-FLP

Realistically speaking is MODM
Ex. application a public facility,
to house fire fighting equipment (minimax)
to house offices (mini-sum)
To house schooling services (min-max
round trip traveling sales person
type)
Multi criteria based formulation have
started coming of late
Above factors some-tangible,
intangible.
59

Hybrid multi objective-FLP

Realistically speaking is MODM
contd..

Some time they vary in weight and some

times in direction also.
FLP problem is indeed difficult if viewed in
it true scientific perspective.
Due to breath & application of location
theory. there exists a strong inter
disciplinary interest of researchers Economists, Operation researches,
Management sciences, geographers.
Regional .Science, System analysts and
Industrial Engineers
60

 To day plant-facility location, apart

from factories, manufacturing units
like steel, fertilizer, cement plant etc.
Facility could refer to schools,
hospitals, banks, fire/police stations,
milk/polling booth, etc.
A facility could connote any physical
object relevant to location analysis.

61

DISTANCE MODE VARIANTS

Of critical importance is the MODE of dist.
considered between any 2 reference points.
Mode variants investigated are the following :
EUCLIDEAN MODE : Shortest straight line dist.
y
(ai, bi)

(x, y)

d E

1/ 2
2
2
( x a i ) ( y b i )

RECTILINEAR MODE
RECTILINEAR MODE : also called Manhattan norm
y
(ai, bi)
c

Though many alternative

path`s (similar to rock`s
movt. in chess)

(x, y)
x

dr = [ | x ai | + | y bi | ]

Squared Eucl. is (dE)2 = dSE = [(x ai)2 + (y bi)2 ]

Squared Rect. is (dR)2 = dSE = [| x ai |2 + | y bi |2 ]
(These 2 cases above are appropriate norms for
emergency type situations)

Generalised lp norm
In real life perhaps more of lp norms exist.
y

p = 1.2
p = 1.8

(ai, bi)
p=2

lp = [ |x ai|p + |y bi|p ]1/p

p<2

(x, y)

Genl. lp = [ |x ai |p + |y bi |p ]p/p
x

for p = 1; S = 1; Rect. p = 1; S = 2; Sq. Rect.

for p = 2; S = 1; Eucl. p = 2; S = 2; Sq. Eucl.

MIXED MODE
A fac. Could be fed matls. through conveyors/pipes
(Eucl) while other matls. supplied by fork truck(Rect)
lpi = [ | x ai |pi + |y bi|pi ]pi
(ai, bi)

y
p = 1.8

p=1
(x, y)
p = 0.5

p=2

GEODESIC NORM
Forbidden
region

(ai, bi)

(x, y)

x
Through which no travel permissible and where new fac.
can not be located

Mathematical modelling of some FLP

(Infinite planar class of FLP) deterministic only.
A. MINISUM CASE
m
i.

Single FLP : Min Fx,y (p) = F(x,y) =

wi di

i 1

ii. Multi FLP : Min xi,yi F(p) = F(xi, yi)

m n
=

wij dij

i 1 j 1

jk d jk

1 j k n

B. MINIMAX CASE
i. Single FLP : Min Fx,y (p) = Max1 i m [wi di]
ii. Multi FLP : Min xj, yi = F(xi, yi)
Max [wij dij], Max [jk djk] 1 j < k n
= Max

1im
1jn

C. HYBRID CASE [Minisum + Minimax case]

i. Single FLP : Min Fx,y (p) = F(x, y)

WT 1 wi di WT 2 Max ui di 1 i m
i 1

Mini sum

Mini Max

Possible ext to multi FLP

II. F(xj yi)(p) = F(xj, yi)

WT 1

wij dij

i 1 j 1

( jk d jk )

1 j k n

WT 2 Max

Max wij dij ; Max ( jk d jk )
1 i m
1 j k n

1 j n

D. Constrained WEBER Case

m
wi di
i. Single FLP : Min F(p) = F(x, y) =
(X, Y) FR
(X, Y) FR i 1

ii. Multi FLP : Min F(p) = F(xj, yi)

(Xj, Yi) FR

wij dij

i 1 j 1

(Xj, Yi) FR

1 j k n

( jk d jk )

Note : Common to all the above math model of FLP

formulations, is the desire to MINIMIZE F(p) viz.
Determining (x* y*) or (xj* yi*) to give Min F(p)

m=4

(a1, b1)

(a2, b2)

(a3, b3)

(a4, b4)

(0, 0)
1/4
w1

(0, 10)
1/4
w2

(5, 0)
1/4
w3

(12, 6)
1/4
w4

S MS SE Single Fac.; Mini sum; Sq. EUCL. FLP

wi ai

x* i 1

(1/ 4 0) (1/ 4 0)
(1/ 4 5) (1 / 4 12)
4.25

wi

1/ 4 1/ 4 1/ 4 1/ 4

i 1

Gravity Solution :

(1/ 4 0) (1/ 4 10)

(1/ 4 0) (1/ 4 6)
w
b

i i

*
y

4
b i 1/ 4 1/ 4 1/ 4 1/ 4

(x*, y*) = (4,25, 4) opt. loc. Of the single

Sq. Eucl. Dist. norm

Median Soln.
(ai, bi)
wi

Rectilinear

(0,0) (3,16)
5

22

(18,2)

S/MS/R (Single Fac.

Minisum Rectilinear)
(8,18)
(20,2)

41

60

34

x*
ai (wts. cum. wi in ascending order)
0
3
x* = 8
18
20

5
22
60
41
34

5
27 < 81
87 > 81
128
162

1/2 162 = 81

y*
bi

wi

Cum.wts

0
2,2
y* = 16
18

5
41+34
22
60

5
80 < 81
102 > 81
162

(x*, y*) = (8,16) MEDIAN SOLUTION

1/2 162 = 81

Rectilinear Minisum Location Problem

Contour Construction Method

(ai, bi)

(4,2)

(8,5)

(11,8)

(13,2)

wi

1/6

1/3

1/3

1/6

Rel.

M 0 C j wi

N 0 D i wi

M1 M 0 2C1

N1 N 0 2 D1
N 2 N1 2 D2

i 1

M 2 M1 2C2
Mj
Sij
Ni

i 1

N3 = +1
D3 = 1/3

+1
3

-3

-2

N2 = 1/3
D2 = 1/3
N1 = -1/3
D1 = (1/6)+
(1/6) = 1/3
N0 = -1

2/3

-1

M0 = -1

(4 ,
2)

-2/3

0
0

(8 ,
5)

0
0

(11 ,
8)

-2/3

-1

-2

-3

2/3 (13 , 1
2)

M2 = 0
M3 = 2/3 M4 = +1
M1 = -2/3
C3 =
C1=
C4=
C2=
1/3
1/6
1/6
1/3

N3 = +1
D3 = 1/3

+1
3

-3

-2

N2 = 1/3
D2 = 1/3
N1 = -1/3
D1 = (1/6)+
(1/6) = 1/3
N0 = -1

2/3

-1

M0 = -1

(4 ,
2)

-2/3

0
0

(8 ,
5)

0
0

(11 ,
8)

-2/3

-1

-2

-3

2/3 (13 , 1
2)

M2 = 0
M3 = 2/3 M4 = +1
M1 = -2/3
C3 =
C1=
C4=
C2=
1/3
1/6
1/6
1/3

Materials Handling (MH)

MH deals with the preparation, placing & positioning
of MATERIALS to FACILITATES their movement,
transportation & storage. In fact right from the time
raw materials enters the system, till finished product
leaves system, a lot of MH takes place.
Some studies reveal 20 60% of total production cost
is attributed to MH.(Great scope for cost reduction)
PURPOSE OF MH : To move Raw Materials, WIP, FG
tools supplies etc.
AIM Perform safely and efficiently.

Also function besides moving material is connected

with storage, control & retrieval.
Also Identification/Verification of material in
mechanized handling systems, their routing &
scheduling of their moves.
Also Information about origin, current location and
future destination.
Motion (movt.)
All this implies
that MH is

Time (make material available

at the time regd.
Quantity of the right qty.
Space requirements greatly
influence by type & var.
of MH Eqpt.

All MH results in adding to COSTS & no value

Perhaps best thing would be not to handle material
at all & Therefore MH Costs = 0/-. However, this is
never possible, some MH is evident.
Though MH adds costs but no value, however MH
accounts for place utility & time utility (whereas
production conversion process adds form & value
utility).
MH is a support/service FN in production process &
has direct impact on cycle time, costs etc.

Characteristics of MH EQPT.
Materials (bulk & packaged.)
Movement (vertically{V}, horizontally{H} &
combination of {V + H})
Supervision (close, little, Eqpt. automatic or
semi automatic.)
Path followed (variable, fixed & fixed area.)
Speed (variable, fixed, either fixed or variable.)
Power required for operation of Eqpt
(electricity, internal comb. Eng., manual, & gravity)

Classification of MH Eqpt.
A. Industrial Trucks flexible, versatile & most
extensively used
a. Manual
i. 2 wheeled excellent
ii. 3 wheeled for intermillent
iii. 4 wheeled small distance movements.

b. Powered
i.

Driver walk (driver remains on ground)

{Platform type, Pallet lift, High lift fork)

ii. Driver ride (driver on the truck)

{ platform(low & high lift), parallel,
telescope fork lift }

B. Cranes Jib crane

a. Gantry crane
b. Overhead bridge crane
C. Hoists chain type(manual)
a. Electrical
b. Pneumatic
D. Conveyors
a. Belt conveyor
i.
ii.

Flat troughed
Fixed /portable

b. Roller gravity
i.
ii.

Spiral portable
Fixed

c. Roller line
i.
ii.

Chain drive
Belt drive

d. Bucket
e. Chain or cable
f. Pipe line (pneumatic)
E. Monorail
a. Trolley
b. Carrier

F. Slides and Chutes

a. Straight
b. Spiral
c. Wood/steel
d. Vibrating
G. Lifts (for multi storeyed blags)
H. Tractors, Trailers. AGY`s, & robot`s