A dynamic programming model for Reconfigurable Vibrating Screen machine operations planning in a fluctuating market environment

Abstract

Fluctuation in mineral concentrates demand has resulted into the design of a Reconfigurable Vibrating Screen (RVS) machine. However, the question; “which configuration(s) should this machine be configured to, at different periods in order to minimize the total operating cost of utilizing this machine in meeting the fluctuating customer demands?” still need to be answered by the designer of the machine. In light of this, this paper proposes a dynamic programming model that will ensure cost-effective configuration and utilization of the RVS machine in meeting fluctuating customers demand. The dynamic programming model was tested using the mineral concentrates demand of mining company XYZ. The results of the dynamic computation for this case study revealed that RVS machine must be operated using a configuration sequence of 4700mm × 2500mm, 3500mm × 2000mm and 4700mm × 2500mm, for a period of first two (2) months, second two (2) months and the last month respectively, in order to meet the customer’s five-month period demand in mining company XYZ, at a minimum total machine operations cost of R681966.21. The machine operations planning solution offered in this study serve as a knowledge advisor for RVS machine users towards ensuring just-in-time and exact screening of varying mineral concentrates demanded by the customers in a cost-effective manner using a reasonable power consumption.