Optimization of schedules for a multitask production cell

Paper in proceeding, 2010

Purpose of this paper; To optimize production schedules of a real production cell containing multi-purpose machines working as a job-shop in a complex logistic environment producing aircraft engine components. The planning and control of the production in the so called multitask cell results in a complex combinatorial problem. Design/methodology/approach; A mathematical optimization model of the multitask cell has been developed and tested on real data instances. The current production planning prerequisites have been studied in order to choose an appropriate objective function. Findings; Production plans resulting from the optimization model, are compared with schedules formed by the First in First Out (FIFO) and Earliest Due Date (EDD) priority rules, which are similar to the current manual planning of the multitask cell. Practical implications; The proposed scheduling principle will shorten lead times, and provide a more efficient use of the resources of the multitask cell. The effects are most significant at times with high utilization of the cell. What is original/value of paper; The development of theory and practice of optimization, together with the development of computer hardware during the past decades, enable the utilization of optimization as a tool for computing efficient production schedules in a complex logistic environment.