IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTIVARIATE METHODS AS DECISION MAKING MODELS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATOR ALLOCATION BY COMPUTER SIMULATION IN CMS

By noting the importance of flexible manufacturing system (FMS), variable market and reduction in product life cycle, this study presents a decision making model for optimization of operators allocation in cellular manufacturing system (CMS) by computer simulation. A case study is considered and a computer simulation which considers various operators layout is developed with respect to the purpose of this study. Then, data envelopment analysis (DEA), principle component analysis (PCA) and numerical taxonomy are utilized to assess simulation results and alternatives. Furthermore, the results of the three preceding approach are verified by spearman correlation technique. Consequence the best operator layout with respect to cellular condition was identified. It should be noted that the indicators used in multivariate analysis may be changed to reflect market condition and demand and consequently locating optimum solutions. Previous studies only utilizes DEA and simulation, whereas this study uses an integrated simulation, DEA, PCA and Taxonomy approach for optimal operator allocation, verification, validation and flexible modeling.