Part assignment to electronic insertion machines: Two machine case

Modern electronic circuit board production typically uses computerized insertion machines to insert electronic components into circuit boards in a flow shop type of production line. This paper studies the problem of assigning components to insertion machines with the aim of maximizing output. The paper initially examines the two machine assignment case, identifying requirements sufficient to ensure an optimal solution for two technological scenarios. Moreover, it is noted that the sequencing issue of different board types in a production cycle is immaterial, given large machine capacity. Solution procedures for this components assignment problem are described and tested on data obtained from a real life industrial setting. The resulting solutions are within 0-5% from optimality.