Machine layout problem in FMS design

This paper deals with the transport system design in automated FMS. We describe the different phases for the design of such a system and explain more in details the step consisting in laying out machines in a manufacturing cell. The machine layout problem was treated under several assumptions in the literature, and our contribution consists in introducing flexibility in the production system illustrated by the consideration of transformation resources existing in many exemplars. The positioning of machines is evaluated by the criterion of minimization of transportation tasks duration, and formulated as a mixed quadratic problem resolved by a mathematical solver (CPLEX).