Effect of Scheduling and Manufacturing Flexibility on the Performance of FMS

Abstract

A framework for studying the effect of scheduling and manufacturing flexibility on the performance of flexible manufacturing system has been presented in this paper. Scheduling and manufacturing flexibility are among the many manufacturing strategies considered by the researchers to improve the system performance. In this paper in addition to scheduling and manufacturing flexibility other manufacturing strategies being considered are system configuration, buffer capacity, routing flexibility (manufacturing flexibility), number of pallets, volume of parts, dispatching and sequencing rules (scheduling). Performance of systems is evaluated on make-span time, cost, machine utilization and queue waiting time. The key issues which are addressed in this paper are the impact of different levels of routing flexibility, dispatching and sequencing rules and the increase in number of pallets on the system performance. Simulation results indicate that, with increase in routing flexibility, make-span time decreases. However the maximum benefit is obtained when routing flexibility increased from level 1 to 2. Combinations of sequencing and dispatching rules are identified, which can yield best results for make-span, cost of production, queue waiting time and machine utilization. It is suggested that the proposed methodology can be used in practice for not only setting priorities on specific manufacturing factors but also for highlighting likely factor level combinations that could yield improved shop performance.