MHCL 2026 conference
50th Anniversary (1976–2026)

Section: Logistics and Intralogistics Systems
Abstract: This paper presents a novel bio-inspired approach to assign operational resources like machines, workstations and departments within factory layouts. We investigated the hexagonal structures of the honeycomb and found that this biological principle helps to enhance the allocation of operational resources within factory layouts. To prove the feasibility of the proposed methodology, the first step was to collect material flow data from three Austrian factories. We implemented the original factory layouts within our model as reference. As second step, we applied traditional logistical methods for layout planning according to theory. In a third step, we applied our honeycomb layout approach to arrange the material flow system of the three factories. After examining 15 different variants, we found that our bio-inspired approach was able to keep up with traditional layouts, and reduce the material flow by at least 22,3 % of the original layout.  

Daniel Tinello
Scientific Assistant
Graz University of Technology
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Herwig Winkler
Full Professor
Cottbus University of Technology
Faculty of Mechanical, Electrical and Industrial Engineering

Dirk Jodin
Full Professor
Graz University of Technology
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Manfred Toferer
Master Student
Graz University of Technology
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering