A mathematical classification as a basis for the design of group-technology production cells

Using the mathematical programming approach of operational research, the Group Technology cell production problem may be given a concise mathematical formulation so that a solution can be found for a given constraint set. Starting from the assertion that a collection of workpieces can be classified in terms of manufacturing methods contained in planning documents or of design specifications contained in engineering drawings, one may proceed to test the hypothesis that under some specific grouping of workpieces there will be a forecast workload which is sufficient to keep one or more corresponding groups of manufacturing facilities busy at an economic level of utilisation so that a significant reduction in manufacturing costs will result. As an essential tool for the systematic analysis of process routes or engineering drawings and the combinatorial synthesis of their information, a mathematical classification has been developed and tested which overcomes the shortcomings of conventional methods of workpiece classification and workflow analysis. The Cranfield method facilitates the construction of a combinatorial Programming model. A hand-method of solution has been developed which may be used to program a computer.