Timed Petri nets for flexible manufacturing cell design

This paper explores a Petri net approach for the study of grouping of machines in the cells to perform a set of jobs. We use a timed Petri net simulation tool (TPNS) to model the performance of a flexible manufacturing cell arrangement with different scheduling approaches. TPNS is based on the Petri net simulation tool described by Shukia-Robbi (1991). By analyzing the results, one can decide on machine arrangements and schedules to accomplish efficiently a given job mix. One model permits the intermingling of job types and the other separates them into separate streams. We find that the intermingled jobs case results in the highest utilization of machines and the shortest makespan for the job mix.<<ETX>>