Combinatorial Grouping— A Lattice-Theoretic Method for the Design of Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a combinatorial method of grouping objects into guest families, and of providing accommodation in a system of host cells. The method maximises the amount of hospitality extended by the hosts towards the guests. A guest job requiring few facilities will have a greater chance of finding a host cell than a more demanding guest job, and not all the host cells will be equally busy. As a consequence, there will be greater scheduling flexibility and better cell utilisation.