This paper focuses on the effects of flexible automation on the performance of a job shop. Flexible automated machines may significantly improve the delivery performance and the flow time of jobs. The insertion of a flexible automated system in a job shop, however, also has a counter effect on...

Virtual cellular manufacturing (VCM) creates groups of products and machines in the production planning and control system. Similar groupings may help to reduce set-up times. Starting from two industrial cases, we study parallel machine shops assuming the implementation of VCM. We address the...