A finite capacity production scheduling procedure for a belgian steel company

Abstract

We present a finite capacity production scheduling algorithm for an integrated steel company located in Belgium. This multiple-objective optimization model takes various case-specific constraints into account and consists of two steps. A machine assignment step determines the routing of an individual order through the network while a scheduling step makes a detailed timetable for each operation for all orders. The procedure has been tested on randomly generated data instances that reflect the characteristics of the steel company. We report promising computational results and illustrate the flexibility of the optimization model with respect to the various input parameters. Keywords. Master production scheduling, manufacturing planning and control, scheduling/sequencing.