Application of Petri nets towards improved utilization of machines in job shop manufacturing environments
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 6 March 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of Petri nets in a job shop setup for the improvement in the utilization of machines.
Design/methodology/approach
The study discusses concepts such as reachable state, token and matrix equations set, and demonstrates the improvements in machines’ utilization in a job shop. It makes use of algorithms to generate reachable markings to obtain utilization. The study not only describes the application of theory, but also extends the body of knowledge on Petri nets and job shops.
Findings
In this study, machines’ utilization has been studied in a job shop with six machines and eight products. The study finds that substantial utilization improvement in job shop set up can be obtained through the application of Petri nets. The study also exposes that Petri nets are mostly used for machines, jobs and tools scheduling problems, but its use in machines’ utilization is neglected. The framework and application presented here along with generalizable findings, is the first to report about machine utilization improvement in job shop manufacturing environment.
Practical implications
Job shops are characterized by high unit production cost, low investments, low volume and high variety, complex flows, flexible and skilled work force, general purpose machines, high material handling; resulting in poor utilization of machines. Therefore, the findings of this study can help in reducing such costs through better machine utilization. This can help in increasing the competitiveness of the companies.
Originality/value
The contribution of study lies in investigating and improving stage wise utilization in a job shop setup. It has never been reported before.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their sincerest thanks to the anonymous referees for their encouraging suggestions that led to the considerable improvements of this paper. The authors also wish to thank Chief Editor of this journal Professor Harm-Jan Steenhuis for his continuous support during the revision of this paper. The support of ABC management for data and other resources are also highly acknowledged.
Citation
Pachpor, P.S., Shrivastava, R.L., Seth, D. and Pokharel, S. (2017), "Application of Petri nets towards improved utilization of machines in job shop manufacturing environments", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 169-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-05-2016-0064
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited