TY - JOUR
T1 - Configuring layout in unidirectional loop manufacturing systems
AU - Lee, Shine-Der
AU - Huang, Kuo Hsu
AU - Chiang, Chih Ping
PY - 2001/4/15
Y1 - 2001/4/15
N2 - This paper addresses the layout configuration problem of workstations in a uni-directional loop manufacturing system. In this popular unicyclic material handling facility, the material transporters depart from the input/output station, traverse each workstation exactly once, and then return to the input/output station. We show the important properties of this unidirectional material handling loop network. Based on these characterizations, both heuristic and branch-and-bound algorithms are proposed to solve such NP-complete layout problems. Computational experiments with problem sizes up to 100 workstations are reported. Both the problem size and the material flow density have been found to affect the solution quality and the computational efficiency. The proposed methods appear efficient and effective for solving these layout problems.
AB - This paper addresses the layout configuration problem of workstations in a uni-directional loop manufacturing system. In this popular unicyclic material handling facility, the material transporters depart from the input/output station, traverse each workstation exactly once, and then return to the input/output station. We show the important properties of this unidirectional material handling loop network. Based on these characterizations, both heuristic and branch-and-bound algorithms are proposed to solve such NP-complete layout problems. Computational experiments with problem sizes up to 100 workstations are reported. Both the problem size and the material flow density have been found to affect the solution quality and the computational efficiency. The proposed methods appear efficient and effective for solving these layout problems.
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U2 - 10.1080/00207540010011036
DO - 10.1080/00207540010011036
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0035872170
VL - 39
SP - 1183
EP - 1201
JO - International Journal of Production Research
JF - International Journal of Production Research
SN - 0020-7543
IS - 6
ER -