A model of simulation environment for prediction and optimisation of production processes

Paper describes means and methods for computer based optimisation of production processes using anew approach based on technological database (TDB) with genetic algorithm incorporated into a database management system (DBMS). The TDB serves as a store of tools and machine tools from which they can be assigned to different work operations. Work operations are basic entities of orders placed into queues. The goal of the model is to find available resources from the TDB in order to empty the queue in shortest time with lowest costs. To this purpose the model consist the technological database whose DBMS includes a genetic algorithm based optimiser. It checks the orders queue and searches for appropriate combinations of tools and machine tools from the TDB, which can be combined into needed work operations. It also performs an optimisation of time and costs according to so called static parameters of tools and machine tools. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.