Heuristic solution to the scheduling problems in flexible manufacturing system

The scheduling problems in flexible manufacturing systems deal with (1) tool allocation (2)parts scheduling (3) pallets scheduling (4) machines scheduling and (5) material handling equipment scheduling. This paper presents an approach to determine an optimal schedule of parts integrating all the above scheduling criteria. The problem is formulated as a hierarchical process and solved through eigenvector analysis of priority ordering. Effectiveness of the heuristic is illustrated with an example.