Shop layout templates/tools?
 

We are contemplating relocating to a much larger facility. Want to explore some layout options. Is there good free software or online tools to help layout our facility in a few different configurations?

Cheers

When I was laying out my workshop building for woodworking/metalworking I used an on line tool from Grizzly (tool mfr.)

Shop Tools and Machinery at Grizzly.com

Its free for one thing - and you can save your design on-line. They have templates for power equipment of various sizes - you can use those for your shop equipment such as grinders, lathes, tool chests or tables - and then can create other objects or use objects from their library. They've even got a model for a shop dog, cat, fireplace and other furniture.

I have done a fair amount of plant layouts.

I use AutoCAD. I create my own blocks from the equipment I have. I verify dimensions on all major pieces of equipment. I would map you existing layout and review to see what works/what doesn't.

Manufacturing flow should start from one side and move to the other. This works well if you have docks on both sides of you building (receiving flow to shipping) Non manufacturing activities (office, finance, engineering, maintenance, etc.) should be on the perimeter as to not disrupt the flow of manufacturing/warehousing. Aisles should be wide enough for truck traffic and material flow and they need to be continuous (no dog leg or dead end aisles).

Just a start - then you look at lighting, ventilation, HVAC. Have fun - sounds like a nice project.

Not a template for sure, but check out Visio if that software is still around. I use it for flow diagrams. Great tool for problem solving too.

Thanks for the ideas.

Basically a building 100x100 (give or take) with overhead door on both ends of the front wall. The biggest question is lift placement for our 6 lifts. Do they go down the center (3 on each side) where each overhead door can feed a bank of 3 or do we move them elsewhere? This is what what we want to easily play with different layouts.

The office/showroom placement and engine/transmission room would be easy to locate once the lift positions are established.

Cheers

Check out the Garage Journal forum. They have a ton of posts about what others have done. More good ideas than you can imagine.

Glen,

Thanks, I am a member there but never thought to look for commercial ideas there!

Cheeres

Have you looked at google sketchup?

^ Sketchup +1

Where I work as a prototype tech, I am in a fairly new (5-6 years old) 40x80 shop building that I have all to myself most of the time. I have a Willis mill, and metal lathe, drill press, a ban saw, a paint booth, and a stand up bead blaster, various table top sanders/grinders, along with an assortment of handtools.

Whoever the tool (pun intended) was that designed this shop only mounted 6 total wall outlets for plugging in 110V tools and lights. We are contstantly unplugging one thing to plug something else in......a really bad design.

Are you moving to a bigger space other than the pic in the office view thread? Congrats!

(Assuming the doors are at the far outer walls..)

My first thoughts would be to put the lifts angled down the center, with the smaller toolboxes in-between and conveniently close to the mechs.
This could also make it feel a bit cramped for the mechanics and cause tensions. Or not.
Grip tape on the floor designating dangerous lift zones to prevent someone lowering a vehicle onto his neighbor's toolbox or head.
Center feed for all electric cables. This could be a tripping hazard unless ceiling hung.
Drop down exhaust vent pipes. when running stinkers in the shop.
Need windows on the far wall for flow-through air circulation.
The bays next to the roll-up doors will be bottom echelon in the winter, top in the summer.

The drains and fluid storage, larger equipment, and other storage is kept on the exterior walls.
There will be minimal foot traffic there, except for pull-in/out, and a place for tables and fine assembles like carburetors etc.
Chairs need to be tucked under.

Yes, the pic in the office thread is half of our current location. The new location would be 5 times larger than the pic.

Got sent the plans on the building today and it is actually 125x80. The 2 overhead doors are on either end of the 80 foot wall. Parking area is approx 22,000 square feet, all for our use and secured.

I agree with everything hung from the ceiling. No clutter or hazards. After looking again at the 80 foot width it looks like the 5 bays will lined up along one of the 125 foot walls. We will have a decent sized office/lounge build-out, engine clean room and business office. All build-outs will have mezzanine space above. We will also have an area for our fabrication of roll cages, exhausts and general fab etc. All equipment (benders, welders, grinders etc) associated with that activity would be in that area.

Will check out the google sketchup, thanks!

Cheers

FK'ing hard as hell to use. Just now tried to import a floorplan and draw a wall.

I wish it was more like photoshop. If I wanted Autocad, I'd have bought it.

I can't help on the layout as I've been trying to figure that out for years, but I do advise painting as much as possible of the building interior white or light gray to improve the lighting as much as possible.

I imported a bunch of Ikea cabinets, I don't recall it being difficult...maybe i was used to some similar software.