Applying operations research to scheduling work cells in a manufacturing environment

摘要

Operations research models are widely used to solve real-world problems. However, when these models are solved using programs such as IBM ILOG CLPEX, the interfaces available are not easy to use and may not have any graphical interface. Thus, it becomes difficult for business customers to use it on a day-to-day basis, and the models are discarded. Microsoft Excel with its Solver add-on has become very popular for solving small- to medium-sized problems. With the introduction of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), easily usable interfaces can be developed and used along with the Solver. Constraints can be included or removed and changes can be made in the objective function without opening the Solver window. The article describes practical implications of OR methods at Johnson Electric (JE), a producer of industrial solenoids, in Vandalia, Ohio. The scheduling model was implemented in JE using VBA and Excel Solver to improve the scheduling process of manufacturing. (11 refs.)