The influence of sequencing and selection decision on the timing and balance function of order release within Workloand Control (WLC) environment

• Grant number: 13/03830-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: July 07, 2013
• End date: July 27, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering - Production Management
• Principal Investigator: Moacir Godinho Filho
• Grantee: Moacir Godinho Filho
• Visiting researcher: Martin J. Land
• Visiting researcher institution: University of Groningen, Netherlands
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Order release is a key component of the Workload Control concept. Jobs do not enter the shop floor directly - they are retained in a pre-shop pool and released in time to meet due dates while keeping work-in-process within limits or norms. This means order release has to combine a timing and a load balancing function. Within Workload Control, the order release decision making process is based on a greedy heuristics and includes: (i) a sequencing decision, which establishes the order in which jobs are considered for release; and, (ii) a selection decision, which determines the criteria for choosing jobs for release. The proposed project examines how both decisions effect timing and load balancing function using simulation. It is expected that this analysis will contribute to further enhance the performance of Workload Control. Most importantly, the project's analysis will provide an important contribution to our understanding of how order release methods should be designed with implications for future research. (AU)