Global Workflow Sequence Generation for Dependent Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial planning and scheduling methods often decompose complex problems into granular sub-problems, leading to sub-optimal solutions when sub-problems are dependent, resulting in inefficiencies, increased costs, and supply chain instability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a global workflow sequence for multiple workflow stages in an industrial environment, which determines a first workflow sequence for a primary stage and generates secondary workflow sequences for dependent stages concurrently, based on transformations and constraints to minimize violations and optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If granular sub-problems are solved separately in a chain, then the decomposition approach is efficient for independent sub-problems, but the solution becomes sub-optimal and inefficient when sub-problems are dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solving of granular sub-problems into a single holistic optimization process. Instead of solving sub-problems independently in sequence, the system formulates and solves a unified optimization model that simultaneously considers all sub-problems and their interdependencies, ensuring that the overall solution is optimal rather than sub-optimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal planning and scheduling system that can handle both independent and dependent sub-problems through a single framework. The system uses a unified optimization model that adapts to different problem structures, providing a multi-functional solution approach that works across various industrial scenarios without requiring separate methods for different sub-problem types.
2Device complexity
If granular sub-problems are solved separately in a chain, then the decomposition approach is simple to implement, but significant delay is observed while generating the solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the complete optimization model with all sub-problems and constraints before execution. The system prepares the unified model structure, data structures, and optimization parameters in advance, enabling faster solution generation without the cumulative delays associated with sequential solving of sub-problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sub-problem solving operations into a single parallel optimization execution. By merging the solving process into one unified computational task that can leverage parallel processing, the system eliminates the sequential time penalties and achieves faster overall solution generation while maintaining model comprehensiveness.
3Ease of operation
If granular sub-problems are solved separately, then the approach is easier to manage, but higher costs are incurred due to wastage of inventories, excessive manpower, reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms within the unified optimization model that continuously monitor and adjust sub-problem solutions based on their interdependencies. The system uses feedback from constraint violations and performance metrics to iteratively refine the solution, ensuring optimal resource allocation and minimizing wastage of inventories, manpower, and throughput across the entire supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optimization framework that simultaneously manages multiple objectives including inventory optimization, manpower allocation, and throughput maximization. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle diverse operational requirements within a single integrated model, improving overall supply chain efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through unified management.
Data Source
AI summary
A planning and scheduling system, which handles generation of a global workflow sequence for multiple workflow stages of a workflow unit, determines a first workflow sequence for a primary workflow stage of the workflow unit for a plurality of product items. The one or more second workflow sequences are generated for one or more secondary workflow stages of the workflow unit concurrently based on a transformation of the determined first workflow sequence. A global workflow sequence is obtained for the primary workflow stage and the one or more secondary workflow stages based on at least the determined first workflow sequence for the primary workflow stage and the generated one or more second workflow sequences. A set of operations are executed on the plurality of machines based on the obtained global workflow sequence to produce the plurality of product items.