A Comparison of the aggregation and disaggregation task allocation approaches in a random flexible manufacturing system

Abstract

The increased use of flexible manufacturing systems to efficiently provide customers with diversified products has created a significant set of operational challenges for managers. This technology is not only becoming more complex to control, but also presents a number of decision problems. Many issues concerning long-run utilizations and operational policies are still unresolved. The primary objective of this study is to examine the effects of aggregation and disaggregation task allocation approaches of random flexible routings on the performance of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and to analyze the effect of routing and sequencing flexibility on FMS and their interactions with other factors. The other experimental factors considered are machine load, alternative processing time ratio, local buffer capacities, set-up time, machine breakdown, processing time variation and scheduling rules. For this purpose, a simulation study is conducted and its results are analyzed by statistical methods.