A factory consisting of four departments (A, B, C, D) is being designed. Estimates for the annual material flows between departments are as follows:

All material is transported in standard crates by forklift (one crate = one load = one move). The transportation costs for a load are $0.50 per metre. The distances between locations in the proposed factory are as follows:
  

The following constraints must also be taken into account:

• only locations 1, 2, and 4 have outside doors
• departments A and B must have outside doors
• department D must not adjoin either A or B

Find the optimal assignment of departments to locations, such that it 

(1) meets the above conditions, and

(2) minimizes annual material handling costs.

Transcribed Image Text:

Interdepartmental Flow (number of moves per year) Department A A B C D B C D 100 400 300 200 0 500 Interdepartmental Flow (number of moves per year) Department A A B C D B C D 100 400 300 200 0 500