Integrated facilities design using a contour distance metric

Norman B., ARAPOĞLU R. A., Smith A.

IIE TRANSACTIONS, vol.33, no.4, pp.337-344, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1023/a:1007646707605
  • Journal Name: IIE TRANSACTIONS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.337-344
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The unequal area facility design problem has been studied in the literature generally by considering block layout separate from detailed design. This paper shows a tractable method for concurrently optimizing department shape and location within the facility, and selection of the appropriate number of Input/Output (I/O) stations per department and then optimally locating them. The distance metric used is the contour distance that measures transport between I/O stations along the perimeters of departmental boundaries. This distance metric better reflects allowable material flow for many industrial applications and it directly implies the optimal aisle structure for the facility.