Affordable Space Systems Manufacturing: Intelligent Synthesis Technology, Process Planning, and Production Scheduling

Low volume production associated with space systems manufacturing is inherently expensive, time-consuming, and risk-laden. At the root of this problem is an inability to adequately predict, monitor, and control the product development and sustainment process. This paper describes the ASSIST system, an intelligent knowledge management system designed to address inefficient information management processes and improve space system affordability. ASSIST is designed for collaborative engineering, manufacturing, and testing within a company, between companies, and between local and remote individuals. ASSIST uses web-based standards (including HTTP and XML) as the common message approach connecting its components. Automated process planning and production scheduling is a key component of ASSIST. This paper describes an integrated process planning and production scheduling problem and discusses the solution approach.