Optimal operator assignment and cell loading when lot-splitting is allowed

This paper is an extension of a previous work where a product could be assi gned to only one of its feasible cells. Here, that assumption is relaxed an d lot-splitting is allowed. The impact of lot; splitting is also discussed in terms of setup times. The proposed approach has two phases; 1) generatin g alternative operator levels, and 2) finding the optimal operator and prod uct assignments to the cells. Mathematical models proposed in the previous work are modified to allow for lot-splitting and to consider setup times. T he results obtained by using the same example problem are discussed later i n the paper. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.