The use of batch sizing to improve flow and waiting times in FMS

This paper examines the concept of splitting orders into batches to improve the performance of multi-product, multi-machine flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). Six different batch splitting policies are introduced to split batches based on the process plan of the various part. Scheduling is achieved through a new approach based on genetic algorithms. The results indicate that the proposed batch-splitting policies improve the performance of the manufacturing system.<<ETX>>