Skip to main content
Log in

Process selection and tool assignment in automated cellular manufacturing using Genetic Algorithms

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop an efficient heuristic for the process selection and part cell assignment problem. The study assumes a production environment where each part has several process plans, each manifested by a required set of tools. These tools can be assigned to different machines based on a tool-machine compatibility matrix. An additional assumption is that all relevant data such as periodic demand, processing time, processing cost, tool magazine capacity, tool changing time, tool life and tool cost are fixed and known. A mixed integer linear program which takes all relevant data into account is developed to minimize the production cost. The suggested solution approach to solve this model makes use of Genetic Algorithms: a class of heuristic search and optimization techniques that imitate the natural selection and evolutionary process. First, the encoding of the solutions into integer strings is presented, as well as the genetic operators used by the algorithm. Next, the efficiency and robustness of the solution procedure is demonstrated through several different examples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.S. Agapiou, Sequence of operations optimization in single-stage multifunctional systems, Journal of Manufacturing Systems 10(1991)194 - 208.

    Google Scholar 

  2. I. Arizono, M. Kato, A. Yamamoto and H. Ohta, A new stochastic neural network model and its application to grouping parts and tools in flexible manufacturing systems, International Journal of Production Research 33(1995)1535 - 1548.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Y. Arzi, On-line scheduling in a multi-cell flexible manufacturing system, International Journal of Production Research 33(1995)3283 - 3300.

    Google Scholar 

  4. G. Beals, Software au naturel, Newsweek (May 8, 1995) 46 - 47.

  5. F. Choobineh, A framework for the design of cellular manufacturing systems, International Journal of Production Research 26(1988)1161 - 1172.

    Google Scholar 

  6. H.C. Co, J.S. Biermann and S.K. Chen, A methodological approach to the flexible-manufacturing-system batching, loading and tool configuration problems, International Journal of Production Research 28(1990)2171 - 2186.

    Google Scholar 

  7. L. Davis, Genetic Algorithms and Simulated Annealing, Pitman, London, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  8. S. Ghosh, S.A. Melnyk and G.L. Ragatz, Tooling constraints and shop floor scheduling: Evaluating the impact of sequence dependency, International Journal of Production Research 30(1992)1236 -1253.

    Google Scholar 

  9. D.E. Goldberg, Genetic Algorithms in Search, Optimization, and Machine Learning, Addison-Wesley, 1989.

  10. T. Gupta, Design of manufacturing cells for flexible environment considering alternative routing, International Journal of Production Research 26 (1993) 1161 - 1172.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Y. Gupta, M. Gupta, A. Kumar and C. Sundaram, A genetic algorithm-based approach to cell composition and layout considerations, International Journal of Production Research 31(1996) 1259 - 1273.

    Google Scholar 

  12. K. Hitomi and I. Ham, Optimum process design for a single-stage multifunctional system, ASME Journal of Engineering for Industry 103(1981)218 - 236.

    Google Scholar 

  13. J.H. Holland, Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems, The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 2nd ed., 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  14. A.K. Jain, R.G. Kasilingam and S.D. Bhole, Joint consideration of cell formation and tool provisioning problems in flexible manufacturing systems, Computers and Industrial Engineering 20(1991) 271 - 277.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J.A. Joines, C.T. Culbreth and R.E. King, Manufacturing cell design: An integer programming model employing genetic algorithms, IIE Transactions 28(1996)69 - 85.

    Google Scholar 

  16. A. Kusiak, The generalized Group Technology concept, International Journal of Production Research 25(1987)561 - 569.

    Google Scholar 

  17. L.C. Leung, S.K. Maheshwari and W.A. Miller, Part assignment and tool allocation in FMS with material handling considerations, International Journal of Production Research 31(1993)117 - 138.

    Google Scholar 

  18. R. Logendran, P. Ramakrishna and C. Sriskandarajah, Tabu search-based heuristics for cellular manufacturing systems in the presence of alternative process plans, International Journal of Production Research 32(1994)273 - 297.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Z. Michalewicz and G. Nazhiyath, A co-evolutionary algorithm for numerical optimization problems with nonlinear constraints, Proceedings of the 2nd IEEE Conference on Evolutionary C omputation, Perth, Australia, 1995, pp. 647 - 651.

  20. Z. Michalewicz, Genetic Algorithms + Data Structures = Evolution Programs, AI Series, Springer, New York, 3rd ed., 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  21. S.K. Mukhopadhyay, B. Maiti and S. Garg, Heuristic solution to the scheduling problems in flexible manufacturing systems, International Journal of Production Research 29(1991)2003 - 2024.

    Google Scholar 

  22. R. Nagi, G. Harhalakis and J.-M. Proth, Multiple routings and capacity considerations in Group Technology applications, International Journal of Production Research 28(1990)2243 - 2257.

    Google Scholar 

  23. D. Rajamani, N. Singh and Y.P. Aneja, Integrated design of cellular manufacturing systems in the presence of alternative process plans, International Journal of Production Research 28(1990) 1541 - 1554.

    Google Scholar 

  24. G.M. Ransom, Group Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  25. C.E. Reddy, O.V. Krishnaiah Chetty and D. Chaudhuri, Petri net based approach for analyzing tool management issues in FMS, International Journal of Production Research 30(1992)1428 - 1446.

    Google Scholar 

  26. H.M. Selim, A.J. Vakharia and R.G. Askin, Mathematical models of cell formation: Review and extensions, TIMS/ORSA Nashville Meeting, 1991.

  27. N. Singh, Y.P. Aneja and S.P. Rana, A bi-criterion framework for operations assignments and routing flexibility analysis in cellular manufacturing, European Journal of Operational Research 60(1992) 200- 210.

    Google Scholar 

  28. D. Sinriech and E. Samakh, A genetic approach to the material flow network problem in an SFT based system, Working Paper, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.

  29. G. Srinivasan and T. Narendran, Grafics - a nonhierarchical clustering algorithm for Group Technology, International Journal of Production Research 29(1991)463- 478.

    Google Scholar 

  30. K.E. Stecke, Formulation and solution of nonlinear integer production planning problems for flexible manufacturing systems, Management Science 29(1983)273 - 288.

    Google Scholar 

  31. J.A. Ventura, F.F. Chen and C.-H. Wu, Grouping parts and tools in flexible manufacturing systems production planning, International Journal of Production Research 28(1990)1039 - 1056.

    Google Scholar 

  32. V. Venugopal and T.T. Narendran, A genetic algorithm approach to the machine -component grouping problem with multiple objectives, Computers and Industrial Engineering 22(1992) 469- 480.

    Google Scholar 

  33. D. Werra and M. Widmer, Loading problems with tool management in flexible manufacturing systems: A few integer programming models, International Journal of Flexible Manufacturing Systems 3(1990)71 - 82.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sinriech, D., Meir, A. Process selection and tool assignment in automated cellular manufacturing using Genetic Algorithms. Annals of Operations Research 77, 51–78 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018981529144

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018981529144

Navigation