Production Planning and Scheduling

Joint optimization of jobs sequence and inspection policy

We are developing models for joint optimization of the jobs sequence as well as inspection policy for a single system expected to process n jobs with different processing times. The system has a two-stage failures process, i.e. first a defect arises in the system, and if the defect is not detected, the system eventually fails. The interrupted job due to failure should be restarted after corrective maintenance of the system. The possibility of inspecting the system before starting a job is considered to detect a potential defect. We are developing models to find the optimal policy based on either total expected makespan, or total expected cost.

Optimization of large-scale work center scheduling problems

We are developing mathematical models for scheduling optimization problems in low-volume, low-variety production systems. Products assembled in such production systems follow a predefined processing order through a set of unique work centers. Each work center is budgeted with a diverse set of multi-skilled resources, responsible to complete a predefined set of interdependent, multi-mode, multi-resource activities over a predefined planning horizon. Scheduling problems in such production systems are subject to scarcity of both time and resources. Assembly of aircrafts, heavy aero-structures and heavy mining and military equipment are examples of low-volume, low-variety production systems.