In this paper. we address the problem of unidirectional guide path layout design for automated guided vehicle systems associated with a given faecility layout organized into departments. The departments have specific geometric shapes and defined boundaries. Two layout design procedures are proposed for single loop flow paths and tandem configuration. ln a first part, an approach to determine the optimal single loop design is developed through the application of tabu methhod as a neighborhood scarch technique. Here, the determination of the initial solution for the search mahod is obtained from geometrical considerations. The second part deals with the tandem configuration. A partitioning proeedure of departments based on the hierarchical classification is proposed. The similarity coefficient takes into account the volume flow as well as distances beween departments, while granting more importance to the proximity. The problem of partitioning the guide flow paths into several adjacent loops is discussed. An example is used to illustrate the proposed approaches.
automated guided vehicle systems, flow path, tandem, single loop, tabu method, hierarchical classification.
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