Abstract
In making optimal workload allocation to maximize the throughput of an FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System), balancing workload is optimal to the case when each workstation in the FMS consists of the same number of machining centers. Otherwise, unbalanced workload allocation yields the maximum throughput of the FMS. Even in the latter case, the throughput of FMS obtained by balancing workload approaches the optimal value given by the optimal, unbalanced workload allocation as the number of pallets increases. The minimal number of pallets is, therefore, presented so that the relative deviation of the throughput value obtained by balancing workload from the optimal value is smaller than 3% or 5%. Approximate equations are derived to get the near-optimal workload allocation with high accuracy when the number of pallets is not larger than the minimal value.
