A note on the similarity coefficient method and the problem of improper machine assignment in group technology applications

Abstract

SUMMARY Among the models developed to form machine cells in group technology applications, those based on the similarity coefficient method (SCM) are more flexible in incorporating the manufacturing data into the machine cells formation process. SCM is the application of clustering techniques to the machine cells formation problem. When SCM is used to form the machine cells, some bottleneck machines are not initially assigned to proper cells. These machines should be reexamined and be reassigned to their proper cells in order to reduce the number of intercellular moves. This problem is referred to as 'improper machine assignment' and is the subject of discussion in this paper.