Title: An integrated method for multiobjectives cell formation in cellular manufacturing systems

Authors: Bin Hu, Mingyuan Chen, F.M. Defersha

Addresses: Management College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road Wuhan 43007, PR China. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 Maisonneuve West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 Maisonneuve West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada

Abstract: In this research, an integrated method was developed to solve a multiobjective cell formation problem. The method consists of an integer programming model, a heuristic algorithm for generating alternative cell formations, a computer simulation model for investigating system performances and a Back Propagation (BP) artificial neural network model for selecting the best system configuration. The criteria considered in solving the overall cell formation problem include system related costs, part completion times, queue lengths and machine utilisation. The BP neural network is designed to incorporate expert experience to evaluate different cell formations considering system costs and performances. Numerical examples are provided to test and illustrate the model and the developed method.

Keywords: cell formation; integer programming; computer simulation; backpropagation; BP neural networks; cellular manufacturing; manufacturing cells; costs; part completion times; queue lengths; machine utilisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2007.013324

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.355 - 372

Published online: 20 Apr 2007 *

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