Dynamic Manufacturing System Research Articles

Active Rescheduling and Collaboration in Dynamic Manufacturing Systems

Scheduhng is an essential mode of communication in modern manufacturing. The construction, communication, and appraisal of such schedules must be commensurate with the organizational structure and the dynamism of the workplace. Active rescheduling is a form of selective attention applied to scheduling problems that cross the boundaries of the typical manufacturing organization. In this paper we use active rescheduling in the development of a multi-agent architecture for scheduling that promotes collaboration in a dynamic manufacturing environment. When combined with a concurrent engineering focus in design, an organizational-level scheme results which is able to accomplish collaboration in manufacturing design, operations, and control.

Strategic Interpolative Design of Dynamic Manufacturing Systems Layouts

This paper presents a proactive strategic methodology for designing dynamic layouts for the expansion (or decline) phase of manufacturing systems. The methodology first estimates probable scenarios of the system requirements at its maturity level, strategically designs mature layouts given the set of scenarios, then tactically interpolates intermediate layouts, backward to the initial facilities plan. For manufacturing systems with rigid facilities, the paper provides a linear programming model sustaining this proactive strategic methodology. The model efficiently generates optimal layouts for all intermediate expansion phases given a goal layout for the final mature phase of the expansion plan, the phased cell sets, the phased flow and relationships sets, and various design constraints, for an array of objectives.