Abstract
This paper focuses on the problem of allocating parts and tools in a flexible manufacturing system with tool movement policy. A four-stage approach is adopted for the solution of the decision problems. In stage one, part to machine allocation is made using a linear programming (LP) model with the objective of balancing the workloads of machines. Stage two involves determining the number of copies of each tool type for the objective of maximising tool utilisation subject to a given available budget. In this stage also, a LP model is formulated and solved. In stage three, tools are assigned to machines using a heuristic algorithm. A discrete-event simulation model is developed in stage four for analysing part scheduling and tool control decisions while implementing the results obtained from the preceding stages. Simulation experiments are conducted for various scenarios and the system performance is analysed.
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