Total tool requirements in multi-level machining systems

A multi-level machining system is defined as a manufacturing order, consisting of at least one product with a bill of materials (BOM) greater than one level. It is shown that tool requirements at any level can be computed by utilizing the powers of the BOM matrix and a tool data matrix. An algorithm is then presented for reducing these requirements without affecting an end product’s completion time. Finally an efficient search technique (EST) is developed which provides good solutions to the problem of optimizing the increased (decreased) tool requirements resulting from a decrease (increase) in an end product’s completion time. It is also shown that in the absence of cross-level interactions with respect to tool-time tradeoffs the EST solutions are optimal.