Coping with finite storage space in job shops through order release control: an assessment by simulation

Author(s)

Thuerer, Matthias ^[1] ; Godinho Filho, Moacir ^[1] ; Stevenson, Mark ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ind Engn, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Lancaster, Sch Management, Dept Management Sci, Lancaster LA1 4YX - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING; v. 26, n. 9, p. 830-838, SEP 1 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Most literature on job shops assumes that an infinite storage space is available on the shop floor. But in practice, storage space is limited or finite. The job shop control problem with finite storage space has received little attention; it is a complex problem for which optimised scheduling may lead to unfeasible and poor quality solutions. The alternative to a scheduling solution is the use of controlled order release. This study uses simulation to assess the performance of four order release control rules. Results indicate that the best results are achieved by the workload control order release (WLCOR) rule. This rule produces results comparable to the optimum solution identified by analytical modelling in terms of the storage space required to achieve a certain production rate. The advantage of WLCOR is that it does this while simultaneously controlling lead times and the percentage of tardy jobs. Results have significant implications for practice, particularly where space is at a premium. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/10605-1 - Proposal of a Decision Support System based on Workload Control approach for production planning and control in small and medium companies
• Grantee: Matthias Thürer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral