A comparative study of FMS tool allocation and part type selection approaches for a varying part type mix

Hankins and Rovito examined the impact of different tool policies on cutting tool inventory levels and spindle utilization for a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). This study provides a broader perspective of the impact of tool allocation approaches on flow times, tardiness, percent of orders tardy, machine utilization, and robot utilization. Part type selection procedures have been suggested for the FMS prerelease planning problem. However, very little research has specifically evaluated the part type selection procedures across different tool allocation approaches. Also, with the exception of Stecke and Kim no other known study has provided any insights on what tool allocation approaches are appropriate when processing different mixes of part types. This research is devoted to addressing those issues. Three tool allocation approaches, three production scheduling rules, and three levels of part mix are evaluated in this study through a simulation model of a flexible manufacturing system. The specific impacts of the tool approaches, their interaction effects with the part type selection rules, and their effectiveness at different part type mix levels are provided through the use of a regression metamodel.