Job Shop Scheduling Focusing on Role of Buffer

Abstract

A scheduling problem is formulated in order to consistently manage every production resource such as machine tool, assembly robot, AGV, storehouse, material shelf, and so on. The production resources are classified into three devices, which are producer, location, and mover. This paper especially focuses on a role of buffer, and the differences among these devices are analyzed. A unified scheduling formulation is derived from the results of the analysis based on the role of the devices. Scheduling procedures based on dispatching rules are also proposed in order to numerically evaluate job shop type production with finite buffer capacity. The influence of capacity of bottle necked production devices and the buffer on the productivity are discussed.