A mathematical model for loading the sequencers in a printed circuit pack manufacturing environment

A sequencing machine is a piece of equipment used in the electronics industry to produce sequenced reel-packaged tapes of axial leaded components for different types of printed circuit packs (PCPs). Due to the limited number of dispensing heads available on the sequencing machines, the relatively large number of component types competing for these heads, and the diversity of the component type requirements of different types of PCPs, efficient scheduling of these machines is usually not a simple task. In this paper the authors discuss a structured approach to the problem of scheduling the sequencers, and present a mathematical model, as well as a heuristic procedure, that can be used to resolve some of the difficulties involved.