Part family formation for GT applications based on fuzzy mathematics

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Abstract
Group Technology (GT) is one of the key issues in a successful implementation of flexible manufacturing systems ( FMSs). The objective of GT is, through the use of a part-family (PF) formation scheme, to reduce unnecessary variation proliferation. A part family is a group of parts presenting similar geometry and/or requiring a similar production process. Traditional schemes such as classification and coding and production flow analysis do not consider uncertainty or impreciseness in PF formation. In order to incorporate the uncertainty which is inherent in the measurement of similarities between parts, fuzzy mathematics is employed in this research. Two different approaches of fuzzy cluster analysis, fuzzy classification and fuzzy equivalence, are introduced in the process of part-family formation. In addition, a dynamic part-family assignment procedure is presented using the methodology of fuzzy pattern recognition to assign new parts to existing PFs. A computer program is developed, and several rotational parts from a local company have been tested with satisfactory results. In this paper the theoretical foundation is detailed, along with real world examples.

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