This paper presents a simulation-based methodology which uses both des
ign and manufacturing attributes to form manufacturing cells. The meth
odology is implemented in three phases. In phase I, parts are grouped
into part families based on their design and manufacturing dissimilari
ties. In phase II, machines are grouped into manufacturing cells based
on relevant operational costs and various cells are assigned part fam
ilies using an optimization technique. Phases I and II are based on in
teger and mixed-integer mathematical models. Finally, in phase III, a
simulation model of the proposed system is built and verified, and the
model is run so that data on the proposed system may be gathered and
evaluated. The mathematical and simulation models are used to solve a
sample production problem. The results from these models are compared,
and can be used to justify the final design. By the use of these mode
ling tools, cellular manufacturing systems can be designed, analyzed,
optimized, and finally justified. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r
ights reserved.