Design of cellular manufacturing systems with refixturing and material handling considerations

Refixturing and material handling aspects of cellular manufacturing systems are considered. For this purpose, two mathematical models are developed to determine machine groups and the assignment of part operations to machines. The first model is used simultaneously to assign operations of parts to machines and form machine groups. The second model is developed for the situation when new machines are procured for a cellular manufacturing environment. Examples are included to illustrate the applications of the models.