A fuzzy integrated decision-making support system for scheduling of FMS using simulation

In the complex environment of an automated manufacturing system, decision-making is one of the most important and difficult tasks of a manager in general or a scheduler in particular. Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMSs) are highly automated and expensive systems. The high investment cost of a FMS justifies the use of computer simulation support. This paper investigates the operational problems of FMSs through simulation, and different combinations of scheduling rules are evaluated by a fuzzy integrated decision-making support system.