The part mix and routing mix problem in FMS: A coupling between an LP model and a closed queueing network

In the near future many companies will face the problem of the optimal use of newly installed manufacturing technology (e.g. a flexible manufacturing systems or FMS). Very often this will involve decisions on what parts to produce using the new system (the part mix problem) and how to produce these parts (the routing mix problem). The authors show that traditional operational research tools such as linear programming and queueing network theory are well suited to tackle these problems. In particular, LP models are combined with queueing network models in an iterative procedure. As such the strengths of both techniques can be exploited in making optimal use of the part mix and routing mix flexibility of the FMS.