Evaluation of the performance measures in manufacturing cell formation

Abstract

In this work, the Cell Formation Problem (CFP) within manufacturing systems is evaluated, seeking to optimize production processes. Accordingly, the appropriateness of the existing evaluation measures for use in dynamic manufacturing scenarios is investigated with the view of enhancing their accuracy and efficacy. The obtained findings indicate the need to reevaluate the commonly adopted evaluation measures for CFP, potentially replacing them with data-driven and context-specific approaches. A quantitative methodology is successfully used to defines parameters that quantify the quality of evaluation measures, rendering such evaluation more robust and adaptable to specific contexts. While grouping efficacy is a commonly accepted measure in this research field, it was shown to exhibit drawbacks that do not justify its widespread popularity. In response to the identified research gaps, a refined objective function is proposed for the core CFP problem. This novel function is designed to enhance solution efficiency and accuracy, ultimately contributing to improved manufacturing processes. The aforementioned findings present a significant advancement in the understanding and application of evaluation measures in the CFP domain, offering a foundation for further research and potential enhancements in manufacturing optimization practices.