Selection and assignment of material handling devices under uncertainty

Abstract

Material handling devices (MHDs) transfer the materials among the machines, work stations and support services in manufacturing and distribution facilities. It is very important to select and assign the required number and types of MHDs to minimize the operating and investment costs. Generally, the parameters have uncertain values by solving the MHD selection and assignment problem. Especially, the number of batches required to be transported cannot be determined as crisp values. This chapter provides a mathematical programming basis for MHD selection and assignment problem under fuzzy environment. In this study, background information about MHD selection and assignment as well as fuzzy linear programming is given. Additionally, a related hypothetical problem is solved for a specific case.© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014.