Integrating machining speed, part selection and machine loading decisions in flexible manufacturing systems

Abstract

This paper proposes a two-stage approach to jointly solve part selection, machine loading and machining speed selection problems in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). The part selection and machine loading problems are solved as the first-stage problem. Based on the solution of the first-stage problem machining speeds are adjusted for all possible job-tool-machine combinations during the second stage. Associated models are presented and sequentially solved. An example shows that, without deteriorating the optimality of FMS output, production cost can be significantly reduced using this approach.