Neural network applications for group technology and cellular manufacturing

Recognizing the potential of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for pattern recognition, researchers first began to apply neural networks for group technology (GT) applications in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After a decade of effort, neural networks have emerged as an important and viable means for pattern classification for the application of GT and design of cellular manufacturing (CM) systems. ANNs also hold considerable promise, in general, for reducing complexity in logistics, and for streamlining and synergistic regrouping of many operations in the supply chain. This chapter provides a summary of neural network applications developed for group technology and cellular manufacturing.