Family-based dispatching: anticipating future jobs

• Published in: International journal of production research 2008-01, Vol.46 (1), p.73-97
• Main Authors: Nomden, G., Van Der Zee, D.-J., Slomp, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Control theory. Systems; Decision making; Decision theory. Utility theory; Estimates; Exact sciences and technology; Family-based dispatching; Group technology; Inventory control, production control. Distribution; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Process control. Computer integrated manufacturing; Product design; Simulation; Studies
• ISSN: 0020-7543; 1366-588X
• DOI: 10.1080/00207540500517749

Group Technology exploits similarities in product and process design to meet the diversity of customer demand in an economic way. In this paper we consider one of the implementations of this concept - family-based dispatching. Intrinsic to family-based dispatching is the grouping of similar types of products for joint processing. In this way the number of set-ups may be reduced. Consequently, lead-time performance of the shop can be improved. We extend existing rules for family-based dispatching by including data on upcoming job arrivals. Typically, this type of data resides in the minds of the operators, or is stored in a shop-floor control system. Its availability allows for ( 1 ) better estimates of the composition of a process batch for a family, ( 2 ) the consideration of families for which no products are available at the decision moment, and ( 3 ) the possibility to start set-ups in anticipation of future job arrivals. The potential of including forecast data in decision-making is demonstrated by an extensive simulation study of a single-machine shop. Results indicate the possibility of significant improvements of flow time performance.