Timing control in manufacturing and supply chains.

摘要

Timing control is considered in three different systems: a single-stage system with a finite output buffer, a no-delay multistage system, and a no-delay assembly system. A release-time problem in a single stage is considered, and a finite output buffer with server blocking as well as hard time-box constraints on the delivery times are imposed. An unified framework for analysis is developed, a general computable necessary and sufficient optimality condition is derived, and an efficient algorithm having an intuitive geometric appeal is devised. A release-time problem in a no-delay multistage system where service of jobs at each stage can not be delayed is considered. A necessary optimality condition is derived, and an efficient algorithm for optimal controls that satisfy the optimal condition is devised. Similarly, a release-time problem in a no-delay assembly system is solved. The results of this work aid the analysis of timing control in general manufacturing systems and supply chains with transportation networks.