A New Approach to the Allocation of Multidimensional Resources in Production Processes

Abstract

Modern technologies in the field of automation, robotics and IT have significantly changed the face of modern production systems. In particular, the use of AVG, PLC, mobile robots, RFID, IoT, etc. results in modern production processes being characterized by, among others, shortened production cycles and supply chains, reduced production costs, increased product quality and reliability, etc. Moreover, the application of these technologies requires a new definition and methods of using production resources. Most often these are resources that are characterized by many functionalities, the so-called multidimensional resources, which can be configured, remotely controlled, updated, etc., and their use in many cases enables the self-optimization and self-organization of the production system. The article presents the problem of allocation and control of multidimensional resources in production processes. The proprietary formal model of the problem is proposed, as well as how to use it in both proactive and reactive modes. A procedure for reducing the size of the modeled problem is also proposed, the use of which enables a two-fold reduction in the number of constraints and even a fifty-fold reduction in the number of decision variables of the proposed model. This results in an almost hundredfold reduction in computation time for the considered data instances. An original hybrid approach is used to implement the model, which enables the integration of mathematical programming (MP) and programming in constrained logic (CLP). Model data and parameters have been saved as facts.