Timed event graph-based cyclic reconfigurable flow shop modelling and optimization

The manufacturing process of a part involves sequential steps and each step could be viewed as the part being manufactured by a process module with some specific function. The module must be placed on a machine and connected to the machine via standard interfaces. The machine considered here is a carrier or general platform that can hold one or several different modules simultaneously. Based on the idea that modules are independent of machines and different combinations of modules and machines result in different configurations, the cyclic reconfigurable flow shop is proposed for the new manufacturing paradigm—Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS). The cyclic reconfigurable flow shop can be modelled as a timed event graph. Different cases of cyclic reconfigurable flow shops are discussed and the optimal configuration can be obtained by solving the corresponding mixed-integer program derived from the timed event graph model.