DODGING THE BOMBS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 72, 1 July 1942, Page 5

DODGING THE BOMBS

LAYOUT OF FACTORIES

NEW BRITISH ARRANGEMENT

A new method of factory layout which lias reduced output delaj r s from bomb damage by as much as 50 per cent lias been evolved by British scientists and engineers. Called the "production lattice," factories engaged on similar work are not dispersed all over, the country but are grouped close enough together to provide swift inter-com-munication. If there are, say, four processes in each factory, the bombing of No. 1 process in one works | means that Nos. 2, 3 and 4 processes there can still be supplied from another factory; while if a No. 2 process is put out of action the No. 1 output can go through No. 2 process elsewhere and return to Its own Nos. 3 and 4. To stop output completely, the enemy must put out of action the same process in each factory, and Uic mathematical odds against this are immense. I'n fact, because of these odds, the more accurate the bombing, the greater the relative advantage of the "lattice," or crisscross of production lines. Under the dispersal system, factories are badly placed to assist each other and whenever one process is put out of action the whole output of the factory stops until this has been remedied. With the "lattice" principle, however, practical examples have shown that in severe attacks up to one-half the output rate for a given section of industry may be saved.