T𝕙roughput Rate Maximization In Flexible Manufacturing Cells

Abstract A flow control method is presented which maximizes throughput rate in a flexible cell operating in a stochastic environment. Cell status is observed at discrete points in time and associated flow control plans are developed using a linear programming model. The flow control plans are then implemented using simple dispatching rules. The performance of the proposed discrete time control method is evaluated via comparison to other methods using hypothetical cell operations. Further research issues are discussed.