IS: An intelligent scheduler for batch manufacturing systems

Abstract

This paper describes the design and development of IS (for Intelligent Scheduler), a true multiple criteria knowledge-based scheduler which can be used for operational level scheduling of batch manufacturing systems, sometimes called job shops. IS incorporates a heuristic algorithm coupled with two knowledge bases, one for job scheduling and the other for selecting a suitable schedule based on the user provided criterion or criteria. With fourteen dispatching rules, it can generate both static and dynamic schedules. IS is a far more realistic and sophisticated model, accounting for many important factors, such as multiple machines, multiple fixtures, multiple tools, alternate processing routes, machine setup time, machine processing time, due date, job arrival time, initial shop loading, hot jobs, and considering either one criterion or multiple criteria simultaneously. In addition, IS coded in C and has all the features of a modern professional quality interactive program. It has moving bar and pull down menus and an on-line help function, a friendly human-computer interface, and an intuitive and easy to understand representation of the schedules.