Integration of process planning and scheduling: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract

Process planning and scheduling functions strongly influence profitability of manufacturing a product, resource utilisation and product delivery time. Several researchers have addressed the need for integration of process planning and scheduling (IPPS) functions to facilitate flexibility and for improving profitability of manufacturing a product, delivery time as well as creation of realistic process plans that can be executed readily on shop floor. This article presents a state-of-the-art review on IPPS. Three common integration approaches, non-linear approach, closed loop approach and distributed approach, are discussed with their relative advantages and disadvantages and reported research is classified accordingly. It also identifies several future research directions.