"Optimal" operating rules for automated manufacturing systems

In modeling automated manufacturing systems such as transfer lines and flexible manufacturing systems it is necessary to make assumptions about how such systems will be operated. Hence, it is desirable to determine the "optimal" operating rules. In this paper a number of examples are given of how the "optimal" rules are determined so that consideration is given to the control options that can be used, the information available to the operator and the typical multilevel nature of the system's control.