A Simulation Model of Horseshoe Layouts

With the advent of information systems and the recent developments in computing technology, traditional manufacturing systems are fast becoming obsolete. A new generation of factories is being designed with cellular or linked-cell manufacturing systems. This recent shift from traditional to cellular manufacturing system has necessitated the redesign of the factory and its layout. Traditional process and product layouts (involving straight and long assembly lines or departments) are now being replaced by horseshoe layouts which feature small, semi circular, work cells. We report on a comparison between traditional and horseshoe layouts. We shall discuss when each is the more appropriate with regard to quality and to cost.