Combined Layout

The application of the principle of product layout, process layout or fixed location layout in their strict meanings is difficult to come across. A combination of the product and process layouts, with an emphasis on either is noticed in most industrial establishments. Plants are never laid out in either pure form. It is  possible  to have  both types  of layout  in an efficiently combined  form if the products  manufactured  are somewhat  similar  and not  complex.

In plants involving the fabrication of parts and assembly fabrication tends  to employ the process layout,  while  the assembly areas often  employ the product layout. In soap manufacturing plants, the machinery manufacturing soap is arranged on the product line principle but ancillary services such as heating the manufacturing of glycerine the powerhouse the water treatment plant are arranged on a functional basis.

Combination Layout Hybrid Layout for Gear Manufacturing

            F. P= Forging Press           G. C = Gear Cutting Machine
H. T = Heat Treatment      G. G = Gear Grinding 

Figure: Combination Layout Hybrid Layout for Gear Manufacturing

Figure above illustrates the combined layout. The departments in figure below according to the types of processes but the products flow through on a product layout.