A genetic algorithm for facility layout problems of different manufacturing environments

This paper describes a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the problem of optimal facilities layout in manufacturing systems design so that material-handling costs are minimized. The paper considers the various material flow patterns of manufacturing environments of flow shop layout, flow-line layout (single line) with multi-products, multi-line layout, semi-circular and loop layout. The effectiveness of the GA approach is evaluated with numerical examples. The cost performance is compared with other approaches. The results show the effectiveness of the GA approach as a tool to solve problems in facilities layout. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.