Configuring cellular manufacturing systems

Abstract

We present a three-stage procedure for configuring machines into manufacturing cells, and assigning the cells to process specific sets of jobs. First, operations are assigned, with the objective of minimizing the deviation between available capacity and the workload assigned to each machine. We then extended King's algorithm to group machines based on similarities of operations. Finally a direct-search algorithm for defining the composition of manufacturing ceils is offered. A comprehensive example is also included.