It would be difficult to efficiently implement a manufacturing system without solving its design and operational problems. Based on this framework, a system configuration and tooling problem is modeled. The model turns out to be a large mixed integer linear program, so that some alternative optimal seeking and heuristic techniques are used to solve the model for constructing a flow line structured Flexible Manufacturing System. As a result, it may be possible to construct flexible, efficient, simple and easily controllable manufacturing systems. © 1993.