Abstract
Article history: Received September202012 Received in revised format December 28 2012 Accepted January2 2013 Available online 3January 2013 Integrated cell formation and layout (CFLP) is an extended application of the group technology philosophy in which machine cells and cell layout are addressed simultaneously. The aim of this technological innovation is to improve both productivity and flexibility in modern manufacturing industry. However, due to its combinatorial complexity, the cell formation and layout problem is best solved by heuristic and metaheuristic approaches. As CFLP is prevalent in manufacturing industry, developing robust and efficient solution methods for the problem is imperative. This study seeks to develop a fuzzy simulated evolution algorithm (FSEA) that integrates fuzzy-set theoretic concepts and the philosophy of constructive perturbation and evolution. Deriving from the classical simulated evolution algorithm, the search efficiency of the major phases of the algorithm is enhanced, including initialization, evaluation, selection and reconstruction. Illustrative computational experiments based on existing problem instances from the literature demonstrate the utility and the strength of the FSEA algorithm developed in this study. It is anticipated in this study that the application of the algorithm can be extended to other complex combinatorial problems in industry. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Highlights
The integrated cell formation and layout problem (CFLP) is a recent technological innovation that utilizes the group technology philosophy to improve both productivity and flexibility in manufacturing industry (Singh, 1993; Mahdavi et al, 2010; Aryanezhadet al., 2011; Ghoshet al., 2011; Ghezavati, 2011; Forghani et al, 2012; Hamedi et al, 2012; Rao& Singh, 2012)
A fuzzy simulated evolution algorithm (FSEA) was proposed to solve the integrated design and layout problem based on sequence data
The approach incorporates into the well known simulated evolution algorithm the concepts of fuzzy set theory, including iterative improvement and constructive perturbation so as to improve the optimization and search capability of the algorithm
Summary
The integrated cell formation and layout problem (CFLP) is a recent technological innovation that utilizes the group technology philosophy to improve both productivity and flexibility in manufacturing industry (Singh, 1993; Mahdavi et al, 2010; Aryanezhadet al., 2011; Ghoshet al., 2011; Ghezavati, 2011; Forghani et al, 2012; Hamedi et al, 2012; Rao& Singh, 2012). The CFLP consists in decomposing a manufacturing system into small manageable autonomous subsystems, called manufacturing cells, so as to improve shop-floor control, material handling, tooling, and production scheduling activities (Sarker&Xu, 1998). Decomposing a manufacturing system involves (i) identification of part families with similar process or design features and (ii) identification of machine cells, so that each part family can possibly be processed in a single cell. Machine layout within each cell, called intra-cell layout, is an essential part of manufacturing system design that should be considered if system productivity, efficiency and effectiveness are to be realized fully. Group layout: includes layout machine within each cell (intra-cell layout), and layout of cells with respect to one another (inter-cell layout)
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