SBIR Phase II: A robust production scheduling optimizer for aerospace manufacturers

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的更广泛影响旨在提高美国在制造高价值零件方面的竞争力，这些零件适用于产品种类多、批量小、交货时间长和安装时间长的商店。 本申请解决了找到利用现有资源的最佳方式以最大化生产率的需要。所提出的技术可以为航空航天和医疗技术行业的目标市场提供负担得起且易于使用的解决方案。 该技术还可以通过使国内生产商更具成本竞争力来促进国防制造业的本土化，从而有助于加强美国的国防。这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目涉及开发一种新技术，使高价值制造商能够优化其车间的物料流。对于产品种类多、产量低、交货期长和安装时间长的商店，需要找到利用现有资源的最佳方式，以最大限度地提高生产率。大多数调度优化器都无法可靠地或负担得起地处理这个问题。新提出的方法，算法和软件可以解决这一挑战。交付此软件解决方案的业务模型是为中小型企业设计的，从成本和可用性两个方面考虑。该解决方案在所有关键绩效指标（KPI）方面都实现了两位数的改进，例如准时交付（OTD）、库存周转率和盈利能力。第二阶段的工作将通过在一个真实的航空航天部件工厂的演示，使车间优化软件成熟。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to increase the competitiveness of the US in manufacturing high value parts for shops with high product variety, low volumes, large lead times, and large set up times. The application addresses a need to find the optimal way of utilizing existing resources in order to maximize production rates. The proposed technology may provide an affordable and easy-to-use solution for target markets in aerospace and medical technologies industries. The technology may also help strengthen the national defense of the United States by facilitating onshoring of defense manufacturing by making domestic producers more cost competitive.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project involves the development of a new technology that enables high value manufacturers in optimizing the flow of materials in their shops. For shops with high product variety, low volume, large lead times, and large set up times, there is a need to find the optimal way to utilize existing resources in order to maximize production rate. Most scheduling optimizers are unable to handle this problem reliably or affordably. The newly proposed methods, algorithms, and software may solve this challenge. The business model for delivering this software solution is designed for small and medium size businesses in terms of both cost and usability perspectives. The solution demonstrates double digit improvements in all Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as on-time delivery (OTD), inventory turns, and profitability. Phase II work will mature shop optimization software through demonstration in a real aerospace parts factory.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.