3D Printer Scheduling for Shortest Time Production of Weapon Parts

Abstract

In this study, we propose a mathematical model for optimizing the production of weapon parts with 3D printer through parallel machine scheduling. At the end of the battle with the enemy, many weapons are destroyed. Damaged weapons are classified as complete, medium, or minor destruction. Among them, a minor destruction-weapon can be reused immediately after repair by simply replacing a damaged or lost part. However, it is almost impossible to carry thousands of weapon parts due to the nature of troops that constantly move to different places in the battlefield. In order to improve this situation, it is possible to carry the 3D printer at a specific unit and produce necessary parts in the field to repair the minor destruction-weapon. For this purpose, this study proposes a scheduling model to produce the necessary parts in the shortest time after the end of each battle. The set of 3D printers is a parallel machine and can produce all sorts of parts, and it can have different ability to produce. 3D printers can produce finished product for each part at a time, or can produce two subparts separately for each part, but if they separately manufacture subparts, it increases the workload for that part because of additional production of attachment for assembly. That is, the total production time for that part in the case of manufacturing subparts separately is longer than that in the case of producing the finished product at once. Nevertheless, this study confirms that it is possible to shorten the makespan when planning the production schedule of 3D printer by introducing the subpart-split manufacturing concept for weapon parts.