Abstract
We present a new control scheme for releasing parts into a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) that is based on incremental optimization. Our objective is to exploit the available routing flexibility of parts in an enhanced manner by viewing part release as an assignment problem using system status information. In particular, we propose an `intelligent' part release mechanism with some look-ahead and optimization features in order to allow for optimization-based `cooperation' of workcenters. The cooperative dispatching concept is implemented in an object-oriented computer simulation model, and experiments with a varying degree of average routing flexibility are performed. The experimental results are used for a statistical analysis of the benefits of cooperative dispatching versus the common approach of standard dispatching. Finally, we investigate the robustness of the presented FMS control scheme in the case of random machine breakdowns.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 116-133 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | European Journal of Operational Research |
Volume | 129 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2001 Feb 15 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Information Systems and Management
- Management Science and Operations Research
- Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
- Applied Mathematics
- Modelling and Simulation
- Transportation