Title: Modelling and analysis of routing flexibility, sequencing flexibility and scheduling decisions in a flexible manufacturing system

Authors: O.A. Joseph; R. Sridharan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, KMCT College of Engineering, Kalanthode – 673601, Manassery, Calicut, Kerala, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, N.I.T Campus P.O., Calicut – 673601, Kerala, India

Abstract: This paper focuses on a simulation-based experimental study of the interaction among routing flexibility, sequencing flexibility and part sequencing rules in a typical FMS. Two scenarios are considered for experimentation. Three routing flexibility levels, five sequencing flexibility levels and four scheduling rules for part sequencing decision are considered for detailed investigation. The performance of the FMS is evaluated using various measures related to flow time and tardiness of parts. The simulation results are subjected to statistical analysis. The analyses of results reveal that deterioration in system performance can be minimised substantially by incorporating either routing flexibility or sequencing flexibility or both. However, the benefits of either of these flexibilities diminish at higher flexibility levels. Part sequencing rules such as earliest due date and earliest operation due date provide better performance for all the measures at higher flexibility levels.

Keywords: FMSs; flexible manufacturing systems; routing flexibility; sequencing flexibility; part sequencing rules; modelling; statistical analysis; scheduling decisions; simulations; flexibility levels; flow times; parts tardiness; performance deterioration; system performance; due dates; applied decision sciences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2011.043305

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2011 Vol.4 No.4, pp.362 - 384

Published online: 29 Sep 2014 *

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