Selection of a Threshold Value Based on Material Handling Cost in Machine-Component Grouping

Abstract

Abstract Machine-component grouping is a basic step in the application of group technology to manufacturing. It is the process of finding families of similar parts (part-families) and forming the associated machine cells such that one or more part-families can be processed within a single cell. Among the algorithms used to form the machine cells, those based on the Similarity Coefficient Method (SCM) are more flexible in incorporating the manufacturing data into the machine-component grouping process. SCM is the application of clustering techniques in forming the machine cells. One of the major problems with SCM is that it generates a set of alternative solutions rather than a unique solution. The number and size of machine cells in a given solution depends upon the similarity coefficient (threshold value) at which machine cells/machines are joined. This paper discusses the problem of selecting a proper threshold value and presents a solution to it.