Public Title Optimum Material Flow Pattern and Layout Design, Linked-based Material Flow Pattern and Layout Design Division Lead Inventor Tanchoco, Jose Public Description One major and direct factor in time and cost effeciency for manufacturing processes is the facility layout of the equipment and the material flow. One widely-accepted practice known as Lean Manufacturing has promoted a "U" shaped work cell layout, while the semiconductor industry has typically adopted the "spine" layout. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches produce an optimum outcome, i.e., they still do not provide the shortest, most flexible and cost effective process. Inventors at Purdue have developed and analyzed a hexagonal-shaped factory and work cell layout. This configuration produced 20% shorter total material flow distances, better routing flexibilities, and has the potential to improve delivery time by 30%. Patent Status Public References Key Words Manager Eric Lynch Email eslynch@prf.org Telephone 765-588-3477 Fax 765-463-3486   Back to List