Buffer management in solving a real sequencing problem in the automotive industry – Paint Shop 4.0 concept

The paper presents a Car Sequencing Problem, widely considered in the literature. The issue considered by the researchers is only a reduced problem in comparison with the problem in real automotive production. Consequently, a new concept, called Paint Shop 4.0., is considered from the viewpoint of a sequencing problem. The paper is a part of the previously conducted research, identified as Car Sequencing Problem with Buffers (CSPwB), which extended the original problem to a problem in a production line equipped with buffers. The new innovative approach is based on the ideas of Industry 4.0 and the buffer management system. In the paper, sequencing algorithms that have been developed so far are discussed. The original Follow-up Sequencing Algorithm is presented, which is still developed by the authors. The main goal of the research is to find the most effective algorithm in terms of minimization of painting gun changeovers and synchronization necessary color changes with periodic gun cleanings. Carried out research shows that the most advanced algorithm proposed by the authors outperforms other tested methods, so it is promising to be used in the automotive industry.