Cell formation problem for virtual cellular manufacturing based on the process modularization

In order to improve the agility of virtual cellular manufacturing in the functional layout manufacturing system for multi-product and small-batch manufacturing enterprise, it presents a novel method for virtual cell formation based on process modularization. The integrated method which combines both parts-based clustering analysis and process-based clustering analysis decomposes parts process based on process modularization. And a process module warehouse for the manufacturing system is formed, then we can construct virtual manufacturing cells. The superiority of the novel clustering analysis is that it can reduce the control difficulty of manufacturing system, improve the construction speed of virtual cell of manufacturing system. Besides, the method also can reduce lead time and improve the agility for virtual cellular manufacturing system.