Title: A multi-objective decision-making framework using preference selection index for assembly job shop scheduling problem

Authors: Midhun Paul; R. Sridharan; T. Radha Ramanan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, India

Abstract: Assembly job shop scheduling problem (AJSSP) is an important NP-hard scheduling problem very difficult to solve because of its complex precedence relationship between jobs and product structures. In the present work, a systematic multi-attribute decision-making methodology namely, preference selection index method is adopted for ranking priority dispatching rules for scheduling an assembly job shop. A simulation model of an assembly job shop with seven work stations and one assembly station is developed for the purpose of experimentation. Eight priority dispatching rules from literature are identified and incorporated in the simulation model. Performance measures considered for analysis include mean flow time, maximum flow time, mean tardiness, maximum tardiness and machine utilisation. Products with single level assembly structure, two level assembly structure and three level assembly structure are examined to demonstrate and to check the applicability of the proposed methodology. The best performing priority dispatching rules are determined in a multi-objective environment.

Keywords: assembly job shops; multi-objective decision making; job shop scheduling; preference selection index; PSI; simulation; mean flow time; maximum flow time; mean tardiness; maximum tardiness; machine utilisation; priority dispatching rules.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2016.079843

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2016 Vol.9 No.4, pp.362 - 387

Received: 18 Apr 2016
Accepted: 22 Jul 2016
Published online: 17 Oct 2016 *

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