Formation of Machine Cells and Product Families using Genetic Algorithm with Local Search Heuristic

Abstract

Deriving solutions to the problems of intricacy in a manufacturing batch shop is a vital task to reduce lead times, throughput time, part changing time and part moving time from one machine to another. Grouping of machines into a cell and allocating vehicle parts of similar design characteristics or processing features are two difficult tasks in an industry to achieve proper machine utilisation and reduction of unnecessary movements of parts. Forming a group of machines into a cell and parts into a family can be done using cellular manufacturing technique. Cellular manufacturing is a primary application of Group Technology. In this paper a new algorithm for the formation of machine cells and part families has been developed. Search algorithm for allocating part families to the machine cells in an efficient manner has also been developed.