A comparison of three array-based clustering techniques for manufacturing cell formation

SUMMARY

This paper examines three array-based clustering algorithms—rank order clustering (ROC), direct clustering analysis (DCA), and bond energy analysis (BEA)—for manufacturing cell formation. According to our test, bond energy analysis outperforms the other two methods, regardless of which measure or data set is used. If exceptional elements exist in the data set, the BEA algorithm also produces better results than the other two methods without any additional processing. The BEA can compete with other more complicated methods that have appeared in the literature.