Mk. Tiwari et Nk. Vidyarthi, Solving machine loading problems in a flexible manufacturing system using a genetic algorithm based heuristic approach, INT J PROD, 38(14), 2000, pp. 3357-3384
The machine-loading problem of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) has be
en recognized as one of the most important planning problems. In this resea
rch, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based heuristic is proposed to solve the mach
ine loading problem of a random type FMS. The objective of the loading prob
lems is to minimize the system unbalance and maximize the throughput, satis
fying the technological constraints such as availability of machining time,
and tool slots. The proposed GA-based heuristic determines the part type s
equence and the operation-machine allocation that guarantee the optimal sol
ution to the problem, rather than using fixed predetermined part sequencing
rules. The efficiency of the proposed heuristic has been tested on ten sam
ple problems and the results obtained have been compared with those of exis
ting methods.