Material Flow Systems in Manufacturing

This edited work addresses the design and operational control aspects related to the physical movement of parts, tools, containers and material handling devices. Recent developments in this area have naturally led to a concentration on flow systems involving cellular manufacturing and automated transport equipment such as automated guided vehicles. The concepts discussed have general applicability to a wide range of manufacturing flow problems. The book offers contributions from leading experts in the field. It is organized into five major sections namely: design integration and justification, cell design and material handling considerations, alternative material flow paths, operational control problems, tooling requirements and transport equipment. The book aims to provide researchers and managers of factory automation projects with a source of methodologies that should be useful for appraising new material handling technologies. It should also be a source book on mathematical and simulation models that can be used in analyzing problems associated with these systems. This book should be of interest to graduate engineers; researchers in industry and academia; and technical managers in manufacturing companies.