EXPERT SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR TOOL ROOM OPERATIONS

Operation scheduling for a tool room is a complex task because each set of tools has a unique operation sequence, and tool components are to be produced by attaching priorities depending on various technical aspects, such as the production methods, intricacy and complexity of tool components, dimensional tolerances, requirement of heat treatment, sub-assembly, final-assembly, try-out, etc. This paper discusses the design of a prototype knowledge-based scheduling system which utilizes quantitative factors, such as the estimated/actual operation times, the due dates and the resource availability, as well as non-quantitative factors, such as the nature of the order, the importance of the tool, the relative priorities of various tool components, etc. The non-quantitative factors are determined by the expert scheduler, based on his experience amassed over a long period of time. This expert system can be used on- or off-line and is characterized by IF-THEN rules. In an existing CAPP system this could be integrated to utilize master scheduling and process planning information for detailed operation scheduling.