The workload distribution problems in an class of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

This study complements the previous studies on workload distribution problems in Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Specifically, the problem is considered in two perspectives, the long-range policy and the short and medium-term planning and control. The long-term loading policy focusses on identifying the optimal loading of the system characterized by either balanced loading or unique unbalanced loading for which a steepest ascent method is developed. These results are then applied to study the optimal medium and short-term planning and control problems, for which a truncated dynamic programming method is developed in order to obtain the optimal allocation of the given operation mix of part types to work stations.