Managing modular fixture elements with tabu search in a web-based environment

Data related to manufacturing resources such as modular fixtures are useful at many stages of the manufacturing process. This paper addresses some key issues in the implementation of a resource management system of modular fixture elements, demonstrating the utility of maintaining and keeping track of essential information regarding the usage of modular fixture elements. The system that has been developed also caters for the needs of evaluating the consumption of fixture elements and the feasibility of planned production scenarios. Job schedules could be altered depending on the bottlenecks in the use of these limited resources. Tabu Search heuristic methods have been used to obtain better production sequences that more closely take into account the limitations in the availability of such resources. Deployment based on Web technology makes the system easily accessible from anywhere within the enterprise.