Optimization of operation and changeover time for production planning and scheduling in a flexible manufacturing system

This paper deals with the production planning problem of a flexible manufacturing system. It specifically addresses issues of machine loading, tool allocation, and part type grouping with the intent of developing an operation sequencing technique capable of optimizing operation time, non-productive tool change times, and orientation change times when processing a group's design features. A hierarchical approach has been adopted to determine the part groups - depending on the operation, tool change and orientation change times at the upper level. At the next level, we sequence the operations of the part groups. Integer programming models are formulated to group the parts and to address the operation-sequencing problem. The model is illustrated with an example related to an auto engine cylinder head machining plant. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.