A mathematical programming approach for multi-objective optimization problem in design of flexible manufacturing cells

Products having more diversity can be produced faster and more efficiently thanks to highly automated systems of flexible manufacturing systems. In this study, the design of flexible manufacturing cells with routing flexibility is considered. A weighted mixed integer linear mathematical programming model that aims to find optimal routing of parts in flexible manufacturing cells in accordance with some constraints and objectives is developed. The aim of the mathematical programming model is to minimize the weighted sum of five objective functions: (1) the total number of intracellular movements; (2) the total number of intercellular movements; (3) the total machine-system workload unbalance; (4) the total number of tools on all machines in cells; (5) the total labor-system workload unbalance. The developed model is tested with an illustrative example problem and LINGO 17.0 optimization program is used to solve the model. Related sensitivity analysis is carried out to analyze some parameters for the obtained results.