Single batch processing machine scheduling with sequence-dependent setup times and multi-material parts in additive manufacturing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has been a breakthrough revolution in the manufacturing world due to the ability to economically print parts with high geometric complexity, minimal vast and dissimilar materials in the same printing process. However, some problems arise with the usage of multi-materials in AM machines. This study aims to analyze the scheduling problem of a single AM machine for printing multi-material parts. We developed a mathematical model for a single AM machine to directly minimize the makespan of a production schedule of multi-material parts and indirectly minimize the material changeovers. IBM ILOG CPLEX Optimization Studio (v12.10) is used for the development stage of the model. Some numerical examples from AM literature were handled and solutions were gathered. Effects of material changeover costs for the different numbers of materials were investigated. Results indicated that setup time depending on material changeovers becomes a critical parameter for the minimization of makespan. Higher numbers of dissimilar materials increase the completion time of the schedule. While the developed model can be used for AM machines with different material changeover difficulties, it can also be used in the printing of parts that need to be uncontaminated finished products.