Integrated Machine Grouping, Tool Allocation, and Sequencing in Line Design

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Integrated Machine Grouping, Tool Allocation, and Sequencing in Line DesignThis research program provides an important support function to manufacturing process planning. In recent years, many manufacturers have made a significant investment to record the best manufacturing practices. The resulting databases and knowledge-bases give a good opportunity to offer an automation capability which can be materialized through a rigorous understanding of the process planning problem. The manufacturers will get a competitive advantage through the development of mathematical models and algorithms for automation and validation with industrial data. The proposal considers a high volume production of a complex part, which is produced in a transfer line. Here, machines are flexible and capable of performing all planned operations at a controllable speed. The capability of a machine is different when allocated with a different set of tools in its tool magazine. Each part requires machining of several design features and each design feature requires machining of several manufacturing operations. Set-up or changeover time depends on the sequence which is partly restricted by technological precedence constraints. Several machines are grouped into a workstation, which is assigned with operations that require a minimal set-up or changeover time. The problem is to develop a plan for machine grouping, sequencing, cutting tool allocation, and selection of cutting condition.