| The traditional approach to addressing the facility layout design problem is to decompose the problem, solve each sub-problem, then recompose a solution to the original problem based oil the solutions of each of the sub-problems. We acknowledge that the individual problems are difficult to formalize and solve. However, the solution of each of these problems in isolation falls short of addressing the broader facility layout design problem since, usually, it is not possible to obtain an overall optimal (or near optimal) solution using the optimal (or near optimal) sub-problem solutions. This research proposes the development of concurrent facility layout models. In particular, we focus on the integration of department formation, facility layout, material handling, and production design and operational decisions into comprehensive mathematical formulations and on the development of appropriate solution procedures. It is expected that the mathematical formulations and solutions procedures developed will generate more efficient manufacturing system designs, insight about the nature of the concurrent facility layout problem, and new research directions. |
