Scheduling algorithms for computer-aided line balancing in printed circuitboard assembly

Generalized flexible flow line (GFFL) is a scheduling environment comprisin g several machine banks which the products visit in the same order but can skip some machine banks. The type of machines in a bank can differ but they are suitable for performing the same manufacturing tasks. To change one pr oduct to another demands a set-up operation of the machine. This paper desc ribes several scheduling algorithms for the GFFL problem. The overall struc ture of these algorithms is similar, consisting of machine allocation and s equencing phases. The algorithms have been integrated into an interactive p roduction scheduling system for electronics assembly. Sample cases are used to illustrate the operation of the system in practice.