Restructuring of a plant production layout by using different array-based clustering techniques

摘要

This paper deals with restructuring of plant production layout by using two different clustering technique algorithms, namely rank order clustering (ROC) and genetic algorithm (GA) for manufacturing cell formation, with a real-life example to identify the effectiveness of the two clustering techniques. The objective is to cluster the machines and parts in such a manner, so that the advantages of cellular manufacturing systems/group technology are attained in terms of optimisation of setup time, reduction of material handling and reduction of total manufacturing lead time. A comparative study is done between the conventional layout and restructured layouts. The results obtained show that with ROC the total setup time for all 13 parts is reduced by 56%, total distance travelled during material handling is reduced by 56% and total lead time for all 13 parts is reduced by 20% as compared to the conventional layout, while with GA the total setup time for all 13 parts is reduced by 67%, the total distance travelled during material handling is reduced by 62% and total lead time for all 13 parts is reduced by 25% as compared to the conventional layout.