A batching and scheduling optimisation for a cutting work-center: Acta-Mobilier case study

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel batching and scheduling approach for a cutting work-center at Acta-Mobilier, combining a specific batching method, mathematical formalisation, and genetic algorithms to optimise costs and improve production management.

Contribution

It introduces a new batching method and a genetic algorithm-based scheduling solution tailored for Acta-Mobilier's production constraints.

Findings

Significant cost reductions achieved in practice.

Improved visual management on the production line.

Successful implementation in the real plant environment.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate an approach to group lots in batches and to schedule these batches on Acta-Mobilier cutting work-center while taking into account numerous constraints and objectives. The specific batching method was proposed to handle the Acta-Mobilier problem and a mathematical formalisation and genetic algorithm were proposed to deal with the scheduling problem. The proposed algorithm has been embedded in software to optimise production costs and emphasis the visual management on the production line. The application is currently being used in Acta-Mobilier plant and shows significant results