A preliminary investigation of multi-attribute based sequencing rules for assembly shops

Abstract

This paper updates the current literature on assembly shop scheduling to include multi-attribute based sequencing rules that have recently been introduced and measures of shop performance that more accurately reflect management's view toward tardiness and inventory. In addition, a new set of sequencing rules, called importance ratio (IR), is proposed. The operation of a hypothetical assembly shop is simulated to test the performance of eight sequencing rules on three distinct sets of product structures. Four measures of system inventory and four measures of job tardiness are used to evaluate sequencing rule performance. The study shows that sequencing rules which incorporate attributes of both job shop and assembly shop scheduling do not necessarily produce the best performance. Moreover, multiple measures of inventory and tardiness performance do provide important insight into the operation and particular benefits of different sequencing rules. Finally, the importance ratio rules introduced are viable candidates for assembly shops and are especially appropriate for jobs with many levels of assembly.