FORMATION OF MACHINE CELLS AND PART FAMILIES IN CELLULAR MANUFACTURING - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on machine-cell and part-family formation based on linear integer programming models using three definitions of similarity coefficients. Two criteria, similarity score and number of exceptional elements, are used for evaluating the performance of the optimization models, solution procedures, and definitions of similarity coefficients. The results provide guidelines for choosing the appropriate definition of similarity coefficients and solution sequence for machine-cell and part-family formation.