Expert system and method for batch production scheduling and planning

摘要

A method employed by an expert system for batch scheduling the multiple-pass manufacture of a plurality of parts (12) by at least one parts process (22), where the parts (12) have a plurality of delivery dates and the parts (12) and parts processor (22) have a plurality of production constraints variable during manufacture, includes creating a knowledge base of select characteristics of the parts processor and parameters of the parts, and generating a plurality of rules expressing a scheduling and planning strategy that substantially satisfies parts delivery dates, substantially maximizes use of the parts processor, substantially maximizes part throughput, substantially minimizes energy utilization of the parts processor and meets the production constraints. Parts (12) suitable for simultaneous processing by the parts processor are combined into all possible preferred combinations by applying a first plurality of the rules to the knowledge base. Preferred combinations are scheduled for manufacture in batches by applying a second plurality of the rules to the knowledge base.