Development of a fuzzy multi-criteria facility layout generation model

This paper reports the development of a facility layout generation model based on fuzzy clustering for problems with multiple objectives. The proposed model identifies the pair of departments that have large material 'flow' as well as are required to be 'close'. Then it proceeds to form a cluster between them in an agglomerative manner beginning from the pair that have the largest flow and the greatest requirement for closeness, and goes on to include all departments iteratively. The proposed model is explained using a numerical example each for single and multiple objective type layout problems. Finally, the model is authenticated over problems from literature and is found to be efficient.