Title: An integrated approach for shop floor configuration in fractal manufacturing systems

Authors: Sameh M. Saad, Anna M. Lassila

Addresses: Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. ' Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Abstract: Fractal manufacturing is an emerging concept that allocates the production resources into similar multifunctional cells capable of processing a wide variety of products. In this paper, an integrated methodology for shop floor configuration in fractal manufacturing systems is proposed. The procedure incorporates the different fractal cell design phases and methods that respond to varying organisational objectives. Mathematical models for the different design stages are presented and the validity of the procedure used for product allocation optimisation is evaluated. The quality of the resulting fractal layouts is assessed and compared against values for a typical random machine arrangement to evaluate the effectiveness of the product flow optimisation process. The results indicate that the procedure is efficient and that cell layout optimisation can improve material handling distances.

Keywords: fractal manufacturing systems; fractal cells; product allocation; optimisation; simulation; shop floor configuration; cell design; fractal layout; layout design; cell formation; product flow; cell layout; materials handling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2006.009496

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2006 Vol.2 No.2, pp.109 - 123

Published online: 05 Apr 2006 *

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