A study on even distribution of workloads using simulated annealing method on integrated layout design in cellular flexible assembly system

With the success of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs), flexible assembly systems (FASs) have been developed to automate factories further. As in a cellular FMS, a cellular FAS is considered as the most flexible and feasible assembly systems configuration. This paper presents a method for the integrated layout design in cellular FASs. Unlike the traditional paper, this paper deals with the formation of cells and the layout of cells for jobs with operation times on different machines. The procedure in this paper consists of two distinct phases. The first phase presents machine arrangement in a double rows flowline, cell formation not to allow intercellular movements, and integrated layout design in cellular FASs considering the characteristics of FAS, layout, and production factors. This phase uses older optimal algorithm. The second phase proposes to balance the system with an objective of reducing the degree of workload deviation in the cells. Simulated annealing method is used to balance the system. This phase also shows the integrated layout design in cellular FASs with the cost less than total cost of the first phase.