Sequencing and Scheduling in Robotic Cells: Recent Developments
Journal of Scheduling
Identical part production in cyclic robotic cells: Concepts, overview and open questions
Discrete Applied Mathematics
Multiple Part-Type Production in Robotic Cells: Equivalence of Two Real-World Models
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
Parametric algorithms for 2-cyclic robot scheduling with interval processing times
Journal of Scheduling
Cyclic scheduling of a robotic flexible cell with load lock and swap
Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing
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We consider the problem of scheduling operations in bufferless robotic cells that produce identical parts. The objective is to find a cyclic sequence of robot moves that minimizes the long-run average time to produce a part or, equivalently, maximizes the throughput rate. The robot can be moved in simple cycles that produce one unit or, in more complicated cycles, that produce multiple units. Because one-unit cycles are the easiest to understand, implement, and control, they are widely used in industry. We analyze one-unit cycles for a class of robotic cells calledconstant travel-time robotic cells. We complete a structural analysis of the class of one-unit cycles and obtain a polynomial time algorithm for finding an optimal one-unit cycle.Constant travel-time robotic cells are used in real manufacturing operations that the authors have encountered during their interactions with companies. The results and the analysis in this paper offer practitioners (i) a tool to experiment with and study the design of a proposed robotic cell during a prototyping exercise, (ii) a lower bound on the throughput of a robotic cell to help them make an informed assessment of the ultimate productivity level, and (iii) a benchmark throughput level (for comparison purposes) for robotic cells whose operations differ slightly from those discussed in this paper.