Abstract: In recent years, cellular manufacturing system (CMS) is considered as an advanced manufacturing system that can meet variable customer demand, short product life cycle, and increasing worldwide competition. In this paper, a method for designing CMS based on a new matrix clustering algorithm is proposed. Compared to other clustering algorithms such as ROC, ROC2 and DCA in terms of grouping efficiency and grouping efficacy, the method is feasible and with higher efficiency. The elements in machine component matrix are modified from binary to non-binary elements, which provide information of actual intercellular flows of components. This change can provide a more reasonable clustering result than other methods.

Key words: cellular manufacturing, grouping, clustering algorithm