Simultaneous identification of group technology machine cells and part families using a multiple solution framework

Author: Mosier Charles T.   Mahmoodi Farzad  

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

ISSN: 1362-3052

Source: International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol.9, Iss.5, 1996-09, pp. : 402-416

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Abstract

The problem of grouping parts into families and machines into cells (i.e. the group technology configuration problem or GTCP) has been addressed in the literature using a wide variety of statistical, numerical, and optimization techniques. This paper presents an iterative problem modification oriented framework for addressing the GTCP. The proposed framework involves a change in the basic philosophy of developing and testing procedures for solving the GTCP. That is, instead of viewing the process as one where a proposed procedure is applied to a 'whole' problem, from which a solution is produced and evaluated, we conjecture that the process should involve generating a number of solutions via a broad variety of techniques, and examining them for consistency. To illustrate this framework we present operational and computational results on a published problem. Specifically we illustrate its use with a number of heuristic algorithms, focusing on partitioning a bipartite model formulation and the concurrent identification of machine cells and part families.

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