Given the computational complexity of the model, we first evaluate the efficacy of several alternative lower bounding methods. Based on these methods, we develop multiple heuristic procedures and evaluate them using published and industry data. The results indicate that a lower bounding scheme using valid inequalities provides strong lower bounds for our model and that the heuristic provides solutions which are near-optimal. A general framework to describe operating policies in manufacturing cells is presented. A policy can be characterized by assigning appropriate values to a set of descriptive parameters.
System configuration is described by one set of parameters and operating policies by another.
Examples are presented to illustrate the choice of parameter values. This simulator is used to study various operating philosophies under a wide variety of operating environments. The study assumes a production environment where each part has several process plans, each manifested by a required set of tools. These tools can be assigned to different machines based on a tool-machine compatibility matrix. An additional assumption is that all relevant data such as periodic demand, processing time, processing cost, tool magazine capacity, tool changing time, tool life and tool cost are fixed and known.