Heuristic Based Approach of Cell Formation Considering Operation Sequence

elements and voids which in turns decreases intercell flow of parts and increases utilization of machines in the cells. In the first phase; the problem is solved as a bottom-up aggregation procedure for machine grouping. Aggregation is based on the minimization of intercell flow. Later the parts are assigned to the cells according to the proposed heuristic. Upper bound on the cell size is imposed in the first stage which is relaxed gradually in second phase. It ensures the natural cell formation. The solution obtained at the end of first stage is refined in the second phase. Numerical examples were tested for grouping efficiency, grouping efficacy, global efficiency and have been compared with results reported by other researchers. The computational results are encouraging