MULTIPERIOD PART SELECTION AND LOADING PROBLEMS IN FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

We consider multi-period part selection and loading problems in flexib le manufacturing systems with the objective of minimizing subcontracti ng costs. The part selection problem is to select sets of part types a nd to determine their quantities to be produced during the upcoming pl anning horizon while satisfying due dates of all orders for the parts, and the loading problem involves allocation of operations and require d tools to machines. Production demands should be satisfied for period s through subcontracting if production demands cannot be satisfied by the system due to machine capacity or tool magazine capacity constrain ts. For the part selection and loading problems, we develop three iter ative algorithms, called the forward algorithm, the backward algorithm and the capacity approximation algorithm, that solve the part selecti on and loading problems iteratively for each period. To compare the th ree algorithms, a series of computational experiments is done on rando mly generated test problems. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.