New p-median approach to cell formation with alternative process plans

This paper considers the machine-part clustering under the assumption of al ternative process plans for each part. Kusiak's p-median model of part fami ly formation dealing with the problem has critical disadvantages in that th e model requires too many binary variables and constraints and the number o f part families must be known in advance. Furthermore, the solution quality of the model in terms of the number of exceptional elements is poor for il l-structured problems. Motivated by Viswanathan's work, this paper proposes two new p-median models using new measures of similarity between machine p airs: one with the prespecified number of cells and the other without the p respecified number of cells. Computational experience shows the applicabili ty of new p-median models of machine cell formation over Kusiak's model.