Machine loading and part type selection in flexible manufacturing systems

This paper presents a new approach to the loading problem in flexible manufacturing systems. It focuses on the existence of alternative routes for each part type. Also, the optimal number of copies of each tool type to be loaded into each tool magazine is directly determined. Thus, the decision variables are the routing mix and the tool allocation. The loading objective is to balance machine work-loads. Constraints on the number of available tools and on tool magazine capacities can be imposed. The problem is modelled as a mixed-integer linear program. Also, an extension of the model is formulated that includes part type selection.