A Genetic Algorithm Approach for Multi-Product Multi-Machine CONWIP Production System

In this paper, a new mathematical programming model is developed to address common issues relating to single-stage CONstant-Work-In-Process based production lines. A Ge- netic Algorithm (GA) approach is then proposed to directly solve the model in order to simultaneously determines the optimal job sequence and WIP level. Unlike many existing approaches, which are based on deterministic search algorithms such as nonlinear programming and mixed integer programming, our proposed method does not rely on a linearized or simplified model of the system. results from a comprehensive numerical example indicate computational efficiency and validation of our method.