Grouping of parts and components in flexible manufacturing systems (Q1080770)

The problem of grouping of parts and components in flexible manufacturing systems is discussed. The actual grouping is done by modelling the problem as an optimal k-decomposition of weighted networks. Algorithms which are suitable for computer implementation and large problems are developed to find an initial solution and for refining this solution. Bounds on algorithms performance are constructed to give an estimate of the quality of the generated solution. A numerical example illustrates these new techniques.