Two method for real-time routing selection in flexible manufacturing systems

Two different approaches for routing optimization are proposed and compared. The first method is open-loop and selects the route so that the job percentage on each alternative path approximates an optimal offline predetermined percentage. In the second approach decision-making is based on a merit index taking into account the current work in progress and the consequent machine availability, i.e., the current system´s state. The decision is taken by comparing the index values for each one of the alternative paths allows for the job entering the system. Online simulation is used to estimate the near future system´s state trajectory and to compute the merit index. Some case studies are presented comparing the method in terms of efficiency and implementation effort