Optimal planning of multiple routes in flexible manufacturing systems

We consider the simultaneous selection of part routes for multiple part types in Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMSs). Using an optimization framework we investigate two alternative route assignment policies. The one, called routing mix policy in the literature, specifies the optimal proportion of each part type to be produced along its alternative routes, assuming that the proportions can be kept during execution. The other one, which we propose and call pallet allocation policy, partitions the pallets assigned to each part type among the routes. The optimization framework used is a nonlinear programming superimposed on a closed queueing network model of an FMS which produces multiple part types with distinct repeated visits to certain workstations. The objective is to maximize the weighted throughput. Our study shows that the simultaneous use of multiple routes leads to reduced bottleneck utilization, improved workload balance, and a significant increase in the FMS's weighted throughput, without any additional capital investments. Based on numerical work, we also conjecture that pallet allocation policy is more robust than routing mix policy, operationally easier to implement, and may yield higher revenues.