Optimization of the Scheduling of the Compound Production Machines in a Tires Factory

The target of the investigation is to efficiently organize the scheduling of the rubber components manufacturing of a vehicle tire production plant. A mathematical formulation followed by a computational code have to be found in order to optimize the assignment of the tasks to the machines. The complexity of the problem lies in the large number of different components to be considered together with the limitations in the compatibility between some machines and components. In addition, the production flow depends on several sequentially ordered sets of products, that comprise from grinding the raw material until manufacturing the final product ready to be assembled. Occasionally, urgent incoming demand of products can cause a sudden change in the factory environment that needs a fast answer. In this scenario, operations research tools and optimization models become crucial for calculating at any given moment a feasible solution that reaches the new constraints. A linear discrete formulation is suitable to deal with the problem. The results of the simulations clearly improving manufacturing productivity and competitiveness.