Designing A Layout Using Schmigalla Method Combined With Software Tool Vistable

In this paper, a design of optimal facility layout, for already existing factory, using a Schmigalla method combined with software tool visTABLE for layout modelling and optimization is presented. It is called static facility layout planning. Schmigalla method belongs to heuristic type of methods. These method types should be combined with some other methods or tools. Combination of this method in conceptual phase and software visTABLE for layout modelling and optimization in optimization phase is presented. For real-world industrial application, this particular combination is obtaining significant improvement results. Layout designing was realized on a real production process example with 15 different products. In the first part of the paper, a production process with all the data is presented. After that, in the second part, a theoretical and mathematical model of Schmigalla method as a base for layout modelling was used. Then, in the third part, Schmigalla method layout transformation was practically (virtually) realized with software visTABLE. In the fourth part, after layout realization of a virtual layout model, software visTABLE was additionally used (manually and automatically) for finding an optimal layout solution.