Investigation synchronous planning methods efficiency in small-batch make-to-order production

Abstract

Lack of effective planning methods is one of the reasons for uneven use of production capacity, the occurrence of unplanned downtime and various types of losses. Small-scale make-to-order productions are characterized by weak workplaces specialization, by the versatility of the equipment used with a wide range of used components. They differ in the presence of repeated processing of part at the same workplaces and in occurrence of “a return flow” in a production system. The article discusses the features of planning due to technological specifics in such enterprises and a significant number of applicable incoming nomenclature items. Existing systems of production planning such Manufacturing Execution System and Advanced Planning & Scheduling System are compared, variants of their algorithmic implementation are proposed. The authors investigated the effectiveness of the application of the developed algorithms for different planning levels - interdepartmental and shop, depending of the size of order book and number of technological operations. The analysis of the conducted research allows us to assert that to provide synchronous scheduling in make-to-order small-scale productions it is necessary to apply combined planning approach using APS-and MES-technologies together.