Richard H. Deane

A Loading and Balancing Methodology for Job Shop Control

An algorithmic procedure is devised for loading and releasing work to a job shop environment. The objective of the procedure is the control and balance of workloads in the shop. The importance of s...

Scheduling research in multiple resource constrained job shops: a review and critique

Over the past several years, a number of survey, classification, and review articles have focused on scheduling research in machine [only] constrained job shops. Barring the work of Treleven (1989), there is no reported research that presents a detailed review of the issues related to scheduling and sequencing in job shops with multiple resource constraints. In his article, Treleven reviewed the research in job shops constrained by machines and labour. Job shops are not only constrained by machines and labour, but by auxiliary resources (in the form of tooling, etc.) as well. This paper extends the work of Treleven by reviewing the literature on scheduling in job shops constrained by more than one resource and comparing the scheduling research in auxiliary resource-constrained job shops with that of labour-constrained job shops. In addition, this article raises some issues for future scheduling research in multiple resource-constrained job shops.

On the Use of A Vehicle Routing Algorithm for the Parallel Processor Problem with Sequence Dependent Changeover Costs

Abstract We consider the problem of sequencing a set of changeover dependent jobs in a parallel processor shop subject to a workload restriction where the objective is to achieve minimum total changeover cost. A heuristic algorithm, developed previously to treat the vehicle delivery model, is used on the problem. Suitable computational experience with the algorithm is provided the results of which would support its application to problems of realistic size.

One- and two-phase heuristics for workforce scheduling

Abstract A common problem in manpower planning is the scheduling of employees to meet a fluctuating labor requirement. The problem has often been treated in the past by considering shift allocation and employee scheduling independently. In this paper we report on two heuristic procedures, one which uses the two-phase approach, and one which deals directly with the employee scheduling problem.

Setup time reduction and competitive advantage in a closed manufacturing cell

Abstract The relationship between setup time reduction and performance improvement in the stochastic closed manufacturing cell is addressed. The improved cell performance is linked with the potential competitive advantage of the firm in the marketplace. An M/G/1 queueing model of a ‘closed manufacturing cell’ (i.e., the cell produces to stock rather than to order) is formulated. Decreasing marginal improvements in cell flow time are shown to result from job setup time reductions. Additionally, marginal reductions in optimal product batch sizes and flow time variance are also shown to diminish as job setup time decreases. Suggestions are provided for allocating limited capital among heterogeneous products for setup time reduction purposes. For given product mix, optimal allocation of setup time reduction investment is shown to be dependent on key product and production parameters.

TQM Adoption Practices in the Family-Owned Business

This paper reports the results of a study of total quality management (TQM) adoption practices in family-owned manufacturing firms. Family-owned firms were found more often than other firms to be total “non adopters” of TQM. The study clearly demonstrates that highest family owned firm performance levels are associated with a more holistic and complete TQM adoption pattern.

A Dispatching Methodology for Balancing Workload Assignments in a Job Shop Production Facility

Abstract A flow-controlled dispatching methodology is developed for balancing workload assignments in an industrial job shop manufacturing environment. Indices are derived for measuring the workload balance over a horizon of scheduling periods. A general simulation model is used to compare the flow-controlled dispatching methodology with standard dispatching rules. The flow-controlled methods are shown to yield significant improvements in the workload balance index as compared with any of the standard dispatching rules tested.

SCHEDULING IN THE DYNAMIC JOB SHOP UNDER AUXILIARY RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS : A SIMULATION STUDY

Traditionally, job shop research has only considered constraints related to machine and labour availability. With the advent of flexible manufacturing systems and just-in-time manufacturing, practitioners have recognized the importance of auxiliary resources (e.g. tooling) in production activity control and shop scheduling. In recent years, it has been recognized that theory and practice based on labour-constrained job shops cannot be generalized to auxiliary resource-constrained job shops. This paper presents a study of scheduling in the dynamic job shop under auxiliary resource constraints. Local and lookahead dispatching and resource assignment rules, and a global Contingency Based Scheduling (CBS) approach are developed and evaluated in a dynamic job shop constrained by auxiliary resources. Several traditional measures of performance are employed, including root mean square of tardiness, average system time and percentage of auxiliary resource changes. As shop utilization increases, the study reveals that the CBS algorithm is the only scheduling mechanism that consistently provides high performance on all three measures.

Strategic Implications of Manufacturing Cell Formation Design

Cell formation design in cellular manufacturing systems (CMS) has been the focus of recent manufacturing research literature. A great amount of research has been published addressing either technical issues (e.g. part‐machine grouping algorithms) or operational issues (e.g. planning and scheduling in the CMS). Research addressing strategic issues in cell formation design has been minimal. Addresses strategic considerations in cell formation design, specifically, the linkage and relationships between specific cell design issues and the firm′s competitive advantage in the marketplace. It is demonstrated that cell formation design decisions must be addressed in alignment with the firm′s strategic plan and manufacturing competitive priorities.

Manufacturing Strategy and Performance of the New Venture Firm

This research addresses new venture firm performance as a function of consistency between manufacturing and business unit strategy. The empirical study involved 217 new venture firms in the communications and computer equipment manufacturing industries. The results of the study indicate that successful firms exhibit a “consistency” between manufacturing and price-driven business unit strategy. This same consistency was not observed between manufacturing and quality-driven business unit strategy. The research suggests that successful new venture managers are able to correctly relate key manufacturing decisions to business unit strategy. Interestingly, the results of this study tend to indicate that both successful and unsuccessful firms have essentially the same perception of the industry. However, unsuccessful firms lack the ability to match key manufacturing decisions and business unit strategy.