M Olender

Simulation Aided Production Planning and Scheduling Using Game Theory Approach

In the paper the concept of using methods and models of the game theory to solve problems in the area of production planning and control is presented. The problems concerning selection of the most favorable routes from given circumstances and for available set of alternative routes in discrete multi-assortment production systems is presented. Considered in this paper the problems related to the allocation of adequate resources to carry out specific production plan of production orders. Combinatorial complexity of those problems is high especially at the operational level. Therefore heuristic or analytical methods are often used in the process of decision support, without indicating the optimum solution. Conducted research in this area are also related to AI methods. The proposed approach in this paper, is based on the game theory in the production planning. The tools of game theory have been used so far mainly in the area of production planning at the levels of strategic and tactical planning. But recently, arises increasingly interest in using game theory in the field of production planning at the operational level. In this case, the player term is replaced with the agent or object term that represents (not the entity or person as it is in the classical approach) production order, production process or package of production orders.

Using Discrete-Event Simulation Systems as Support for Production Planning

In the days of fierce competition, rapid changes and new technologies, production, and above all, production planning and control cannot be implemented in isolation to changes in the market. The ability to quickly adjust to changes, being flexible is now essential for high tech companies. One of the key area of production management, that must continuously evolve by searching for new methods and tools for increasing the efficiency of decision-making process is the area of production planning and control. In solving the problems associated with production planning are increasingly used advanced simulation programs. They support the planners, especially in situations related to changes in the assortment, or the introduction of new products into the market. A practical example of using the simulation program for production planning is presented in the paper. It is shown that an advanced simulation program can be an effective tool used in decision making area. The construction of the model, and performed experiments are crucial for enterprises where among other things punctuality and flexibility are the most important elements. A short time for the results of the simulation allows for quick response and, if necessary, make changes to the model by planners to achieve the best results with the given parameters associated with the required to complete the production orders.

Semi-automatic simulation model generation of virtual dynamic networks for production flow planning

Computer modelling, simulation and visualization of production flow allowing to increase the efficiency of production planning process in dynamic manufacturing networks. The use of the semi-automatic model generation concept based on parametric approach supporting processes of production planning is presented. The presented approach allows the use of simulation and visualization for verification of production plans and alternative topologies of manufacturing network configurations as well as with automatic generation of a series of production flow scenarios. Computational examples with the application of Enterprise Dynamics simulation software comprising the steps of production planning and control for manufacturing network have been also presented.

Practical Approach of Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Using Costs and Finishing Times of Operations

Nowadays, companies have to react dynamically to changes in the demand of a products. Therefore, the production processes should be properly planned. The problem arises when there are several options, but it is not known which version to choose. By using the KbRS tool, sample schedules for a certain production processes were shown. In addition, the program is not only focused on the achieved maximum process times, but also on the module related to the costs. Thanks to this solution, the decision-maker obtains information not only about times, but also costs. Of course, there are also specific constraints, which make a set of solutions. At this point, depending on the situation examined, which decision making people determines, which solution to choose. It can be a time-related version or a cost-related version. This is important because, manufacturers receive a signal from the market that informs about the need of a personalized products. This needs are characteristic of the so-called fourth industrial revolution, in which customers are looking for a personalized products. But also this revolution is connected with the integration: machines, people and computer systems. And next the price of personalized products are close to the price obtained in mass production. Therefore, apart from integration and security, there is need to have tools that will help planning production processes in dynamic changing needs.

The Evolution of the Robotized Workcell Using the Concept of Cobot

In recent years, the development of the use of automation and robotics in manufacturing enterprises is even more noticeable. The possibility of robots utilization, for example in areas related to welding, painting and other, makes that producers more and more often reach for this form of solution, especially, when there is problem with employees, works are dangerous for people or when works are very monotonous. Currently robots utilization are fast, precise and work continuously. The parameters, which are obtained are more important, from the point of view of mass-customization. It means that production is personalized, but with costs that do not differ from the costs obtained in the mass production. Development of new technologies, helps not only in the planning of production processes, using databases, utilizing faster information flow, etc., but also with appropriate management and the use of the production resources on which the entire production process is based. Human works together with robots on the line. The working space should be properly managed, so that the robot could makes the specified movements, next to the working human and/or machine. At this point, integration must be done at a high level, especially that, human security is very important. Properly managed work space, programmed cooperation between human - robot, robot - machine, enable to better response to changes in product demand and quicker switch to a new product. The key for good organization of processes and integration is knowledge, how to use the potential that the company has gained.

Multi-agent Meta-model of a Non-cooperative Game in a Virtual Manufacturing Network

This paper presents the analysis of an approach to the issue of dynamic manufacturing networks scheduling. These aspects are closely connected with the concept of Virtual Enterprises (VE) and Virtual Manufacturing Network (VMN) in which integrated infrastructure of flexible resources is created. In the proposed paper it is analyzed the problem of scheduling tasks in such systems using the methods of game theory and multi-agent approach. The agents play an active role in the game theory approach to obtain access to resources that are needed in the process which is realized by them. Obtain results allow stating that this approach bring significant benefits to small and medium enterprises.

Practical example of game theory application for production route selection

The opportunity which opens before manufacturers on the dynamic market, especially before those from the sector of the small and medium-sized enterprises, is associated with the use of the virtual organizations concept. The planning stage of such organizations could be based on supporting decision-making tasks using the tools and formalisms taken from the game theory. In the paper the model of the virtual manufacturing network, along with the practical example of decision-making situation as two person game and the decision strategies with an analysis of calculation results are presented.

The production route selection algorithm in virtual manufacturing networks

The increasing requirements and competition in the global market are challenges for the companies profitability in production and supply chain management. This situation became the basis for construction of virtual organizations, which are created in response to temporary needs. The problem of the production flow planning in virtual manufacturing networks is considered. In the paper the algorithm of the production route selection from the set of admissible routes, which meets the technology and resource requirements and in the context of the criterion of minimum cost is proposed.

Practical application of game theory based production flow planning method in virtual manufacturing networks

Modern enterprises have to react quickly to dynamic changes in the market, due to changing customer requirements and expectations. One of the key area of production management, that must continuously evolve by searching for new methods and tools for increasing the efficiency of manufacturing systems is the area of production flow planning and control. These aspects are closely connected with the ability to implement the concept of Virtual Enterprises (VE) and Virtual Manufacturing Network (VMN) in which integrated infrastructure of flexible resources are created. In the proposed approach, the players role perform the objects associated with the objective functions, allowing to solve the multiobjective production flow planning problems based on the game theory, which is based on the theory of the strategic situation. For defined production system and production order models ways of solving the problem of production route planning in VMN on computational examples for different variants of production flow is presented. Possible decision strategy to use together with an analysis of calculation results is shown.