Bi-criteria model of the grouping problem in FMS

This study addresses the problem of grouping while maximizing flexibility in an FMS. Real-time scheduling in FMS is facilitated by the reduction of complexity that arises from the large spectrum of parts, by formation of part families. While existing procedures treat the cell formation problem in FMS as a conventional grouping problem, this approach utilizes a flexibility-based procedure which identifies a process plan for each part based on maximization of flexiblities for the entire system and then solves the grouping problem. A bi-criteria non-linear integer program is formulated and solved through Simulated Annealing.