Machine Layout Problem in Flexible Manufacturing Systems

TLDR

Since automated guided vehicles are widely used to transport material between machines, their motion characteristics are discussed as a key context for flexible manufacturing systems. The study analyzes the machine layout problem in flexible manufacturing systems, introduces a measure of machine relationships, and proposes two new construction algorithms. The authors present four common machine layout types, define a measure of machine relationships, and develop two construction algorithms. The quadratic assignment formulation is unsuitable, while the proposed triangle assignment algorithm yields higher‑quality solutions in lower time than existing methods.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the machine layout problem in flexible manufacturing systems (FMS's). We show that the quadratic assignment formulation cannot be used to model the machine layout problem. Four basic types of machine layouts that are frequently encountered in FMS's are presented. A measure to determine the relationship between machines is introduced. Since automated guided vehicles are commonly used to transport material between machines, their motion characteristic is discussed. Two new construction algorithms are presented to solve the machine layout problem in FMS's. They generate solutions with acceptable quality in low computational time. The triangle assignment algorithm (TAA) is compared to existing methods for 8 test problems and is found to give solutions of better quality than any other construction method published. When compared to existing methods, the computation time performance is attractive.