Informatics Publishing Limited

Gazal Preet Arneja ¹, Rakesh Kumar ², Neel Kanth Grover ¹

Affiliations
1 IKG PTU, Kapurthala – 144603,, Punjab, IN
2 S B S State Technical Campus, Ferozepur – 152004, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a methodology for cell formation (i.e. recognition of part families and corresponding operation groups) for a Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) using a block diagonalized matrix. Method: Like Cellular Manufacturing System (CMS), the foundation of RMS lies on the premise of group technology. The present work highlights the peculiarities of RMS Vis a Vis CMS. CMS cell formation problem has a vast literature available. The present work intends to evolve a methodology for RMS cell formation relies on adapting suitably a CMS cell formation methodology with RMS peculiarities in focus. The method consists of two steps, first the matrix representing part-operation data is diagonalized and then the adapted cell formation methodology is applied on this diagonalized matrix to form the RMS cells. Findings: The effectiveness of the proposed methodology has been compared with some standard problems from the CMS literature and reported to work satisfactorily. Novelty/Improvement: The present work provides an initial framework for the RMS design which is a promising Manufacturing System paradigm for future. General Terms: Cell Formation, Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems.

Keywords

Cell Formation, Group Technology, Operation Group, Part Family, RMS.

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