Article ID: | iaor20022821 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 40 |
Issue: | 2 |
Start Page Number: | 389 |
End Page Number: | 401 |
Publication Date: | Jan 2002 |
Journal: | International Journal of Production Research |
Authors: | Tanchoco J.M.A., Kaspi M., Kesselman U. |
Keywords: | programming: mathematical |
An optimal flow path layout (FPL) design method is introduced as a handy tool for an automated guided vehicle system planning stage. The problem is analysed and formulated by linear mixed-integer programming. A procedure based on the branch-and-bound depth-first search technique is proposed to solve the FPL problem. The procedure is implemented as an efficient computer program and yields an optimal solution in a small number of iterations. Using the transportation model for calculating the required and optimal flow of empty vehicles, system balance is achieved. Finally, two examples are given. A simple illustrative example is discussed to demonstrate the procedure, and a realistic FPL problem with 23 nodes, 66 arcs and nine pick-up/delivery stations is solved.