Title: Applying an analytical approach to shop-floor scheduling: a case study

Authors: Kerry Swinehart, Mahmoud Yasin, Eduardo Guimaraes

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70625, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, USA. ' Department of Management and Marketing, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70625, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, USA. ' TRW Inc., Rack and Pinion Division, Rogersville, Tennessee, USA

Abstract: In the light of the complex and dynamic factors that exist in a typical production facility, manual development of an optimal shop-floor schedule is computationally impractical. This paper discusses the effective use of an heuristic algorithm approach to shop-floor scheduling at the TRW Rack and Pinion Division (RPD) Plant in Rogersville, Tennessee. The study documents the introduction of FAST, a computerised scheduling system that employs the Genetic Optimisation Algorithm. Results demonstrate a real potential advantage using this system for shop-floor scheduling, thus facilitating TRW|s journey of continuous improvement.

Keywords: computerised scheduling; FAST; genetic optimisation; shopfloor scheduling; continuous improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1996.036321

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1996 Vol.11 No.1/2, pp.98 - 107

Published online: 02 Nov 2010 *

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