A Mathematical Programming Approach for Multi-Objective Optimization in Designing Flexible Manufacturing Cells

Abstract

The study aims to design flexible manufacturing cells with routing flexibility. A weighted mixed-integer linear mathematical programming model that aims to find optimal routing of parts in flexible manufacturing cells under constraints such as minimum machine utilization rate, maximum machine utilization rate, tool capacities, the utilization rate of workers, and labor-system unbalance is developed. The mathematical programming model aims to minimize the weighted sum of five objective functions: (1) the total number of intracellular movements; (2) the total number of intercellular movements; (3) the total workload unbalance of the machine system; (4) the total number of tools in all machines in the cells; and (5) the total labor-system workload unbalance. The main contribution of this study is to obtain these five objectives simultaneously, which have not been encountered to handle together before. By integrating these factors, the study presents a comprehensive approach to optimizing the design of flexible manufacturing cells. This study also has the potential to enhance system performance by addressing these factors. An illustrative problem tests the developed model, and the LINGO 17.0 optimization program is used to solve the generated mathematical programming model. Moreover, the related sensitivity analysis is performed with some parameters to examine the obtained results.