A minimum setup strategy for sequencing PCBs with multi‐slot feeders

Abstract

This paper considers the decision problem for a minimum setup strategy of a production system arising in the assembly of printed circuit boards of different types, using a placement machine with multi‐slot feeders. We formulate the problem as a binary linear programming model, and propose a heuristic procedure to find the solution that consists of a board‐assembly sequence, an associated component loading and unloading strategy and a feeder‐assignment plan within reasonable computational effort. Computational results from solving the simulated problem instances by using the heuristic method and the mathematical model are provided and compared. The proposed heuristic procedure can be incorporated into the PCB scheduling optimization software to decrease cycle times and increase overall assembly throughput in a high‐mix, low‐volume PCB manufacturing environment.