Multi-objective lot splitting for a single product m-machine flowshop line

In this paper, the mean flowtime and the makespan objectives are simultaneously investigated in a single product, m-machine, flowshop system. For this purpose, an efficiency frontier approach is applied and an optimal algorithm for generating all efficient solutions is developed. A comprehensive computational experiment is performed for analyzing the tradeoff between the two objectives and evaluating the proposed algorithm performance. The most-balanced-solution, MinMax, is defined and recommended as a desirable alternative for either the flowtime or the makespan optimal solutions. Results show that when the system is optimized for either the mean flowtime or the makespan, a significant loss in the nonoptimized objective value is observed. On the other hand, adopting the MinMax solution obtains a close to optimal solution in both objectives

The Ergonomic Design of Workstations using Virtual Manufacturing and Response Surface Methodology

The increasing use of computerized tools for virtual manufacturing in workstation design has two main advantages over traditional methods; ®rst, it enables the designer to examine a large number of design solutions; and second, simulation of the work task may be performed in order to obtain the values of various performance measures. In this paper a new structural methodology for the workstation design is presented. Factorial experiments and the response surface methodology are integrated in order to reduce the number of examined design solutions and obtain an estimate for the best design con®guration with respect to multi-objective requirements