A Search Algorithm for Generating Alternative Process Plans in Flexible Manufacturing System

Capabilities and complexity of manufacturing systems are increasing and striving for an integrated manufacturing environment. Availability of alternative process plans is a key factor for integration of design, process planning and scheduling. This paper describes an algorithm for generation of alte...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hossein TEHRANI, Nobuhiro SUGIMURA, Yoshitaka TANIMIZU, Koji IWAMURA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers 2007-11-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jamdsm/1/5/1_5_706/_pdf/-char/en
Description
Summary:Capabilities and complexity of manufacturing systems are increasing and striving for an integrated manufacturing environment. Availability of alternative process plans is a key factor for integration of design, process planning and scheduling. This paper describes an algorithm for generation of alternative process plans by extending the existing framework of the process plan networks. A class diagram is introduced for generating process plans and process plan networks from the viewpoint of the integrated process planning and scheduling systems. An incomplete search algorithm is developed for generating and searching the process plan networks. The benefit of this algorithm is that the whole process plan network does not have to be generated before the search algorithm starts. This algorithm is applicable to large and enormous process plan networks and also to search wide areas of the network based on the user requirement. The algorithm can generate alternative process plans and to select a suitable one based on the objective functions.
ISSN:1881-3054