Efficient Machine Layout Design Method with a Fuzzy Set Theory within a Bay in a TFT-LCD Plant

Abstract In this paper, we propose an efficient machine layout design method with a fuzzy set theory within a bay in a TFT-LCD plant. An intelligent hybrid heuristic algorithm with a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed. The objective aimed to achieve is to maximize in-sequence movements and minimize backtracking movements, the total flow distance, and the total backtracking flow distance. An example is given to illustrate the proposed layout procedure. It is our hope that the proposed approaches from this study benefits TFT-LCD designers to deal with both quantitative and linguistic variables for their machine layout problems.