Production Scheduling in a Flexible Hybrid Flow Shop in the Food Industry Based on the Theory of Constraints

Abstract

This paper proposes a mathematical model for production scheduling, whose objective is to maximize the profits or Throughput of a company in the food sector through a Flexible Hybrid Flow, based on the theory of constraints. Considering the company's production configuration, which is a two-stage hybrid flow line, a mixed integer linear model programming (MILP) was formulated and programmed to adequately represent the real situation. The mathematical model developed in this study that is an easy and effective tool that helps to control the production process, by optimizing the quantities of each product to be produced, as well as establishing the sequence in which they must be carried out, which becomes an advantage against its competitors and also obtain a timely response to the needs of demand and compliance with the commitments made to its customers. The results obtained with the MILP, with reasonable computational times, allow for maximizing profits, considering the constraints of the problem.