Part family formation based on a new similarity coefficient which considers alternative routes during machine failure

A number of research papers have used different types of similarity and dis similarity coefficients for determining part families. In cellular manufact uring systems, most machines are capable of performing more than one operat ion, which makes parts rerouting feasible. When a part is rerouted, it affe cts the cell performance. Most of the suggested approaches in the literatur e develop a new similarity coefficient based on mathematical analysis, howe ver, these methods tend to disregard alternative routes during machine fail ure. The main objective of this paper is to identify part families based on a new similarity coefficient which considers the number of alternative rou tes available during machine failure. Based on the new similarity coefficie nt, the part families were identified by using a p-median model. (C) 1998 P ublished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.