UNIT-4 PRODUCTION SCHEDULING

PART-A

1. List out any five priority sequencing rules. (Nov-2017)

 First come, first served (FCFS)
 Last come, first served (LCFS)
 Earliest due date (EDD)
 Shortest processing time (SPT)
 Longest processing time (LPT)

2. What is MRP? List the various inputs required for it. (Nov-2017)
It is a computational technique that converts the master schedule for final product into a
detailed schedule for the raw material and parts used in the final product.
Various Inputs
1. MPS
2. Bill of materials
3. Inventory record file

3. What is master scheduling? (Apr-2017, Apr-2016, Apr-2012)

It is a detailed plan that states how many end items will be available for sale (Or)
distribution during specific periods

4. What is meant by Kanban system? (Apr-2017, Apr-2015)

A Kanban is a card that is attached to a storage and transport container. It identifies the part
number and container capacity, along with other information.

5. Differentiate between product sequencing or sequencing and scheduling. (Nov-2016,

Nov-2015, Nov-2014)
Scheduling refers to the setting of operation start dates so that jobs will be completed by
their due date.
Product Sequencing- It is a systematic procedure for determining the optimum sequence
(order) of jobs that minimizes the total completion time.

6. Cite the meaning of the term line of balance. (Nov-2016, Nov-2015)

Line-of-balance (LOB) is a charting technique that uses lead times and assembling
sequencing to compare planned component completions with actual component
completions.
7. Write a note on perpetual loading. (Nov-2014)
In perpetual loading, a copy of every order is placed in an open file which moves with the
job going to different facilities.
During the processing, the progress is reported with the help of tickets such as inspection
ticket, material requisition ticket, move ticket, etc.

8. What is Gantt chart and how it is constructed? (Apr-2014, Apr-2015)

Gantt charts are usual (bar chart) aids to depict the sequencing, load on facilities, or
progress associated with work effort over a well-defined time period.

9. With reference to line balancing, define the terms (a) line efficiency; (ii) balance
delay. (Apr-2014)
Line efficiency- is the ratio between the time needed and the time allocated in an assembly
line.
Balance delay-is the percentage of wasted time.

10. What is manufacturing lead time.

MLT is the total length of time used to process raw materials and components through all
upper levels in the bill of material into an end item.

11. Write down the advantages and disadvantages of master scheduling`

Advantages
1. It translates aggregate plans into specific end items.
2. It evaluates alternative schedules.
3. It generates material requirements.
Disadvantages
1. The complete information is available in gross, and thus it can sometimes mislead.

12. List the key functions of the production scheduling and control.
(i) Release orders;
(ii) Assign jobs;
(iii) Sequencing priorities;
(iv) MLT by expediting and tracking.

13. What is dispatching.

It is the routine of setting productive activities in motion through the release of orders and
instructions in accordance with previously planned times and sequences embodied in route
sheets and schedule charts.
14. What are the advantages, disadvantages of Gantt load chart?
Advantages
i) This system is quite simple.
ii) ii) This could be maintained even by electrical staff after some training.
iii) iii) Overall cost of operation is small.
Disadvantages
From the load chart it is not possible to learn the exact time of a work. It tells only the total
load ahead of a department or a facility.

15. What are the main objectives of loading?

(i) To check the feasibility of production programs
(ii) To assist in the efficient planning of new work
(iii) To assist in balancing the plant to the existing load
(iv) To assist in fixing of reliable delivery promises.

16. List the function of expediting (Or) Follow up (Or) Progressing. (Apr-2012)
It is a control function that keeps track of the “progress” of work in accordance with planned
schedule.

PART-B
1. Explain the process flow involved in Master scheduling. (Nov-2017)
or
Explain the scheduling procedure with suitable example. Discuss in detail about the
scheduling rules. (Apr-2012, Apr-2017)
Basic scheduling techniques depend on the type of production type and frequency of jobs,
demand patterns and flexibility offered by available processing time.
Basic scheduling problems include:
• Job shop scheduling (also known as unit scheduling)
• Batch production scheduling
• Flow production scheduling
• Production scheduling
Major inputs of MPS
• Forecast of demand of end items
• Customer orders
• Inventory on-hand from the previous period
functions of MPS
• To translate aggregate plans in to specific end times
• To evaluate alternative schedules
• To generate material requirements.
• To generate capacity requirements
• To facilitate information processing
• To maintain valid priorities
• To utilize capacity effectively
Advantages of master scheduling
• The overall cost of operating is minimum than any other loading and scheduling
systems

• This method is very simple to understand

• This could be even maintained by clerical staff.
• It could be easily kept current.
dis-advantages of master scheduling
• The detailed information cannot be obtained.
• It is efficient for small units only
Scheduling Rules or Priority Rules
• When many jobs are waiting before an operational facility, there are some rules to
decide the priority while sequencing.
• FCFS – First Come First Served
• SOT – Shortest Opening Time
• SPT – Shortest Processing Time
 • Due Date – Earliest due date first
• Start Date – [Due Date –Normal lead time]
• STR – Slack time remaining (Due date - Processing time)
• STR/OR – Slack Time Remaining Per Operation
• CR – Critical Ratio [difference b/w due date and current date and the no. of days
remaining]
• QR – Queue Ratio
• LCFS – Last Come First Serve
• Random Order or Whim.

2. Discuss in detail the method of obtaining the MPS for a system with example. Suitable
assumptions can be made. (Nov-2015, Nov-2016)
The Master Production Schedule (MPS) formalizes the production plan and translates it into
specificend-item requirements over a short to intermediate planning horizon. The end items
are then explodedCapacity Requirements Planning (CRP) systems. Thus, the MPS essentially
drives the entire production and inventory system.
The major inputs to the master production schedule are:
1. Forecasts of demand, e.g., of end items and service parts.
2. Customer orders, i.e., including any warehouse and interplant needs.
3. Inventory on-hand from the previous period.
Forecasts of demand are the major input for make-to-stock items. However, to be
competitive,many make-to-order firms must anticipate orders by using forecasts for long
lead-time items and by matching the forecasts with customer orders as the orders become
available.

Master Scheduling Planning Horizon

The time horizon of master scheduling depends upon the type of product, volume of
production, andcomponent lead times. It can be weeks, months, or some combination, but
the schedule must normally extend far enough into the future so that the lead times for all
purchased and assembled components are adequately encompassed, schedules frequently
have both firm and flexible (or tentative) portions. Table illustrates an MPS for a furniture
company that has one such schedule-where the firm and flexible portions have not open to
change.
Two-time fence can be identified in MPS: A demand and a planning time fence.
(a) A demand time fence is the firm or ‘frozen’ portion of the master schedule (beginning
with the current period) during which no changes can be made to the schedule without
managementapproval.
(b) A planning time fence is the portion of the master schedule (also beginning with the
current period) during which changes will not automatically be made (i.e., via computer) to
accommodate demand. This gives the master scheduler a manageable base to work from
and stillallows some discretion in overriding the constraint.

Question: How does master scheduling differ under manufacturing strategies of

(a) make-tostock,
(b) assemble-to-order, and
(c) make-to-order?

See Figure where the shorter line segments represent fewer items.
In (a) make-to-stock operations, the (fewer) end items are stocked, to support customer
service, and the master productionschedule (MPS) is structured around those end items.
In (b) assemble-to-order plants, such as inautomobile manufacturing, the master scheduling
is done for the major sub-assembly-level items.
In(c) make-to-order products, such as customized furniture, there are fewer raw materials
than enditems; the end items may even be one of a kind. Here, the master schedule is
typically structuredaround the raw material usage.
3. (i) What is perpetual loading? Describe. (Apr-2015)
In perpetual loading, a copy of every order is placed in an open file which moves with the
job going to different facilities.
During the processing, the progress is reported with the help of tickets such as inspection
ticket, material requisition ticket, move ticket, etc.
Steps in making Perpetual Schedule
a. Preparation of load analysis sheet.
Load analysis can be prepared by posting the load information on the form.
b. Presentation in Gantt chart
The total load against each department is added up and knowing the weekly capacity of a
department, the number of weeks’ load against each department is calculated.
These informations can be transferred in the form of chart, usually on a Gantt load chart.

Advantages
1. It is very simple and understandable.
2. It requires less overall cost.
3. These charts can be used for various type of work.

(ii) Describe Gantts chart. What are their used? (Nov-2014)

Gantt chart is simple bar graphs that can be used to schedule any type of operation.

Two basic types of Gantt charts

• Work Load Charts
• Scheduling Charts
 – A Gantt work load chart is usually used to depict work load levels for
equipment work station or departments.
– A Gantt scheduling chart is used to depict workload levels for equipment,
workstations (Or) departments.
Advantages
iv) This system is quite simple.
v) ii) This could be maintained even by electrical staff after some training.
vi) iii) Overall cost of operation is small.
Disadvantages
From the load chart it is not possible to learn the exact time of a work. It tells only the total
load ahead of a department or a facility.

(iii) Explain any one of techniques for aligning completion times and due dates. (Apr-
2015, Nov-2014)
MLT is the total length of time used to process raw materials and components through all
upper levels in the bill of material into an end item.

MLT = no (Tsu + Q Tc+Tno)

Tno= non operation time (min),

Tsu= setup time to prepare for the batch (min),
Q = batch quantity (pc), and
Tc= operation cycle time per work unit (min/cycle).

Example:
A certain part is produced in a batch size of 100 units. The batch must be routed
through five operations to complete the processing of the parts. Average setup time is 3
hr/operation, and average operation time is 6 min (0.1 hr). Average nonoperation time
due to handling, delays, inspections, etc., is 7 hours for each operation. Determine how
many days it will take to complete the batch, assuming the plant runs one 8-hr shift/day
Given data:
Number of operation, no = 5
Tsu= setup time to prepare for the batch (min)= 3
quantity, Q= 100
 Tc= operation cycle time per work unit (min/cycle) = 0.1 hr
Tno= Average non operation time =7 hr

Solution:
The manufacturing lead time,
MLT = no (Tsu + Q Tc +Tno) = 5 X (3+ 100X0.1 + 7) = 100 hours
At 8 hr/day, this amounts to 100/8 = 12.5 days

4. Discuss the following: (Nov-2014, Apr-2015)

(a) Flow production scheduling;
In flow shop scheduling problem, there are n jobs; each require processing on m different
[Link] order in which the machines are required to process a job is called process
sequence of that job. The process sequences of all the jobs are the same. But the processing
times for various jobs on a machine may differ. If an operation is absent in a job, then the
processing time of the operation of that job is assumed as zero.
The flow-shop scheduling problem can be characterized as given below:
1. A set of multiple-operation jobs is available for processing at time zero (Each job requires
moperations and each operation requires a different machine).
2. Set-up times for the operations are sequence independent, and are included in processing
times.
3. Job descriptors are known in advance.
4. m different machines are continuously available.
5. Each individual operation of jobs is processed till its completion without break.
The main difference of the flow shop scheduling from the basic single machine scheduling is
that the inserted idle time may be advantageous in flow shop scheduling. Though the
current machineis free, if the job from the previous machine is not released to the current
machine, we cannot startprocessing on that job. So, the current machine has to be idle for
some time. Hence, inserted idletime on some machines would lead to optimality.

(b) Periodic batch control

Batch Production
a. many planning steps
i. Aggregate planning
ii. master scheduling
 iii. material requirements planning (MRP)
iv. capacity requirements planning (CRP)

(c) Kanban.
A Kanban is a card that is attached to a storage and transport container. It identifies the
part number and container capacity, along with other information.
Production or (In-Process)-Kanban
– Provides production instructions for the work center
– Tells the workers exactly the quantity and the type of part to produce
– Used for work centers that produce only one-part number or have minimal setups in
spite of multiple part number production
• Rectangular – one-piece flow production
• Triangular – for small lot production
Withdrawal-Kanban
– Inter-Process Kanban
• Delivers order for parts from a preceding process
• Specifies quantity and type of parts to deliver from Location A to Location B
– Later replenishment system – kanban are filled from suppliers finished
goods shelf
– Sequenced withdrawal – supplier sequences parts in reverse order for
truck loading
– Supplier Kanban
• Same as an inter-process Kanban, except it signals conveyance of part from an
outside supplier
Job Order-Kanban
– Issued for each job order
Through-Kanban
– When two processes are very close, it doesn’t make sense to issue two Kanbans. Used
where one process directly feeds (conveyor) the next process.
Common-Kanban
– Where a withdrawal kanban is used as a production ordering kanban if the distance
between two processes is very short and share the same supervisor.
Emergency-Kanban
– Temporary, when there is a defect or problem, can be withdrawal or production
(d) Dispatching
It is the routine of setting productive activities in motion through the release orders and
instructions, in accordance with previously planned times and sequences embodied in route
sheets and scheduled charts.

Activities of Dispatching
• Movement of material from stores
• Issue of tool orders
• Issue of job order
• Issue of time tickets
• Issue of inspection orders
• Issue of move orders

Functions of dispatching
• To prepare manufacturing orders (shop order, move order, tool order)
• Issue of material from stores
• Issue of instructions to tool room
• Issue of orders authorising the commencement of operations in accordance with the
predicted dates
• Issue of time, time instruction cards, drawings
• Issue of order to the inspection department
• Ordering finished products to the stock room
• Time recording
• Issue of time tickets to finance department
• Recording of the idle time of machines and operations

Common Forms Used in Dispatching

• Material requisitions form
• Job card / job ticket
• Labour card / Tickets
• Move Card / Ticket
• Inspection Card / Tickets
• Tool and Gauge Tickets
 (e) Discuss in detail the various steps involved in Line of balance Technique. (Apr-
2016)
Line of balance (LOB) is a charging technique that uses lead times and assembly sequencing
to compare planned component completions with actual component completions
Uses of LOB
• Source of each component element (purchase, manufacture, assemble, test)
• Sequence of assembly, including sub-assembly, testing and inspection, packaging,
shipping and related activities.
• Comparison of scheduled versus actual finished product deliveries
• Comparison of scheduled versus actual component (element completion showing
present and shortages)
Input to LOB
• Schedule of Delivery.
• Key operations in making the product which needs to be controlled.
• The sequence in which the key events are controlled.
• Lead times of the above events.
Various charts used in LOB
• Operation programme chart/ or assembly chart
• Objective chart
• Progress chart
• Line or balance chart.

5. Discuss the concepts, inputs, characteristics, working, output and benefits of MRP.
Also Explain in detail the various components of MRP (Nov-2017, Apr-2017, Nov-
2016, Nov-2015, Apr-2012)
Material Requirement planning
Material requirements planning (MRP) is a computational technique that converts the
master schedule for end products into a detailed schedule for the raw materials and
components used in the end products. The distinction between independent demand and
dependent demand is important in MRP.
Independent demand means that demand for a product is unrelated to demand for other
items. Final products and spare parts are examples of items whose demand is independent.
Independent demand patterns must usually be forecasted.
Dependent demand means that demand for the item is directly related to the demand for
some other item, usually a final product. The dependency usually derives from the fact that
the item is a component of the other product.

Inputs to the MRP System

To function, the MRP program must operate on data contained in several files. These files
serve as inputs to the MRP processor. They are:
(1) MPS,
(2) Bill of materials file and other engineering and manufacturing data, and
(3) Inventory record file.

Figure illustrates the flow of data into the MRP processor and its conversion into useful
output reports. In a properly implemented MRP system, capacity planning also provides
input to ensure that the MRP schedule does not exceed the production capacity of the firm.

(1) MPS
The MPS lists what end product, and how many of each are to be produced and when they
are to be ready for shipment. Manufacturing firms generally work toward monthly delivery
schedules, but the master schedule in our figure uses weeks as the time periods. 'Whatever
the duration, these time periods are called time buckets in MRP. Instead of treating time as a
continuous variable (which of course, it is). MRP makes its computations of materials and
parts requirements in terms of time buckets

(2) Bill of materials file

The bill of materials (BOM) file is used to compute the raw material and component
requirements for end products listed in the master schedule. It provides information on the
product structure by listing the component parts and subassemblies that make up each
product. The structure of an assembled product can be illustrated as in Figure. This is much
simpler than most commercial products. but its simplicity will serve for illustration
purposes. Product PI is composed of two subassemblies, S1 and S2, each of which is made
up of components C1, C2, and C3, and C4, C5, and C6, respectively.

Finally, at the bottom level are the Jaw materials that go into each component. The items at
each successively higher level are called the parents of the items feeding into it from below.
For example, S1 is the parent of C1, C2, and C3. The product structure must also specify the
number of each subassembly, component, and raw material that go into its respective
parent. These numbers are shown in parentheses in our figure.

(3) Inventory record file

The inventory record file is referred to as the item master file in a computerized inventory
system. The types of data contained in the inventory record are divided into three segments:

1. Item master data

This provides the item's identification (part number) and other data about the part such as
order quantity and lead times.
2. Inventory status
This gives a time-phased record of inventory status. In MRP, it is important to know not only
the current level of inventory, but also any future changes that will occur against the
inventory. Therefore, the inventory status segment lists the gross requirements for the item,
scheduled receipts, on-hand status, and planned order releases.
3. Subsidiary data
The third file segment provides subsidiary data such as purchase orders, scrap or rejects,
and engineering changes.
 MRP Outputs and Benefits
Outputs include:
(1) Planned order releases, which provide the authority to place orders that have been
planned by the MRP system:
(2) Report of planned order releases in future periods
(3) Rescheduling notices, indicating changes in due dates for open orders
(4) Cancelation notices, indicating that certain open orders have been canceled because of
changes in the MPS; (5) reports on inventory status
(6) Performance reports of various types, indicating costs, item usage, actual versus planned
lead times
(7) Exception reports, showing deviations from the schedule, orders that are overdue, scrap,
and so on: and
(8) Inventory forecasts, indicating projected inventory levels in future periods.

Benefits
(1) Reduction in inventory
(2) Quicker response to changes in demand than is possible with a manual requirements
planning system.
(3) Reduced setup and product changeover costs,
(4) Better machine utilization,
(5) Improved capacity to respond to changes in the master Schedule, and
(6) As an aid in developing the master schedule.

6. Sequence the following jobs to minimize the processing times on the two machines.
Also compute the idle times of the machines. (Apr-2015)
Job 1 2 3 4 5 6
Machine -1 5 9 4 7 8 6
Machine -2 7 4 8 3 9 5
This sequencing problems can be solved using Johnson’s rule. The sequence of job can be
obtained as below.
J4

J2 J4
 J3 J2 J4

J3 J1 J2 J4

J3 J1 J6 J2 J4

J3 J1 J5 J6 J2 J4

Machine 1 Machine 2

Optimal sequence of job is

The final schedule for the above job sequence can be drawn as shown below.

From the above figure, we can write

Total elapsed time = 42 time units
Idle time for M1= 3 time units
Idle time for M2 = 4 + 2 = 6 time units

7. An assembly line is to be designed to operate 7.5 hours per day and supply a steady
demand of 300 units per day. The following table shows the tasks and their
performance times. (i) Draw the precedence diagram, (ii) What is the cycle time? (iii)
Assign tasks to work stations stating your logical rules, and (iv) What is the efficiency
of your line balance? (Apr-2014)
Task a b c d e f g h i j k l
Preceding - - - a b c d e f g h,i j,k
Performance 70 40 45 10 30 20 60 50 15 25 20 25
tasks
time (sec)
 Given data
Working time = 7.5 hours per day
Demand = 300 units per day
(i) Precedence diagram

(ii) Cycle time (CT)

𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 7.5 𝑋 60 𝑋 60
𝐶𝑇 = = = 90 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠 = 1.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦 300

(iii) Assigning tasks to workstations

Workstation Assign task Idle time (in seconds)

1 a, d 20 10
2 c, f, i 45 25 10
3 g, j 30 5
4 b, h 50 0
5 e, k, l 60 40 15
= 40

(iv) Efficiency of line balance

Percentage of idle time (balance decay) for the line
𝑰𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒚𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝟒𝟎
= 𝑵𝒐.𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑿 𝑪𝒚𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑿 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟓 𝑿 𝟗𝟎 𝑿 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟖. 𝟗 %

Efficiency of the line = 100 – Percentage of idle line=1 – 8.9 = 91.1%

8. There are seven jobs which are to be processed first on Machine I and then on
Machine II. Process time in hours is given below. Find the optimal sequence and total
elapsed time. (Apr-2014)
Task a b c d e f g
Machine I 6 24 30 12 20 22 18
Machine II 16 20 20 13 24 2 6
This sequencing problems can be solved using Johnson’s rule. The sequence of job can be
obtained as below.
 f

a f

a g f

a d g f

a d b c g f

a d e b c g f

Machine 1 Machine 2
Optimal sequence of job is a--- d----e---b---c---g----f
The final schedule for the above job sequence can be drawn as shown below.

From the above figure, we can write

Total elapsed time = 132 time units
Idle time for M1= 2 hours
Idle time for M2 = 6 + 3 +10 + 14 = 33 hours