Application of CAD to plant layout at Land Rover

Abstract

The policy of Land Rover Limited towards new technology in manufacturing has always been one of forward thinking, but based on a ‘step-by-step’ approach to ensure successful implementation. This is the approach being taken with CADCAM in general. A development programme has been established to ensure that as the quantity of CAD equipment increased in manufacturing, the systems are at a level where significant benefits are achievable. Land Rover Limited has undertaken a major rationalisation project which involved relocating 15 external sites onto one main location. A large amount of plant layout work was necessary to carry out the project and this paper describes the development work on CADCAM in order to achieve a working system in time for implementing the project with the assistance of a CAD system and the subsequent use of the system by the facilities engineers.