Fuzzy Approach for Modeling Multiple Criteria in the Job Grouping Problem

Abstract

In flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) jobs (or products) are grouped in order to improve productivity. Usually the goal is to minimize the set-up size or the number of set-up occasions, whereas other criteria are regarded less important and, consequently, omitted from the objective function. In this paper we discuss fuzzy multiple criteria optimization of the job grouping problem in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. We review briefly the theoretical background of the problem in question and the applied modeling method. The importance of the criteria is prescribed by weighting, and poorly satisfied criterion can be compensated by other criteria. We also show how the criteria affect the solution. The presented method is implemented in our production scheduling system designed for electronic industry and is currently in