The paper deals with the problem of finding the optimum feeding sequence in manufacturing cells with machines fed by robots. A discriminant function to select the best feeding sequence between two preselected ones was determined for the case of a real cell with four machines working on two pallets each one, fed by one robot and with random assistance requirements. The cell was modelled and simu...

Determining the production capacity of flexible manufacturing systems is a very important issue in the design of such systems. We propose an approach for determining the production capacity (i.e., the maximum production rate) of a flexible manufacturing system with several part types, dedicated pallets, and fixed production ratios among the different part types. We show that the problem reduces...

We develop an inter-firm shipping pallet supply chain model and explore the geographic features of market structures that can evolve within it, focusing on the common resource nature of pallet durability. While exploring the model’s parameter space we find regions in which the outcomes do not put the model’s assumptions in doubt. The insights reveal modeling considerations for an “open-loop” st...

We consider the combinatorial stack-up problem motivated by stacking up bins from a conveyor onto pallets. The stack-up problem is to decide whether a given list q of labeled objects can be processed by removing step by step one of the ®rst s objects of q so that the following holds. After each removal there are at most p labels for which the ®rst object is already removed from q and the last o...

In this paper, a multi-product economic production quantity problem with limited warehouse-space is considered in which the orders are delivered discretely in the form of multiple pallets and the shortages are completely backlogged. We show that the model of the problem is a constrained non-linear integer program and propose a genetic algorithm to solve it. Moreover, design of experiments is em...

Distribution operations in most companies are facing enormous pressure. With a sluggish economy and brutal price competition, most logistics organizations are being asked to achieve year-over-year cost reductions on an annual basis. At the same time, customer service requirements continue to accelerate, with shorter cycle times and more challenging value-added service requirements. The emerging...

Transport is one of the activities that generates highest CO2 eq emissions. In particular case Chile, it second economic activity greatest environmental impact. The safe and efficient transport products in domestic foreign markets often carried out with help pallets made various materials, such as wood or plastic, which goes hand different performance their production. That why important to kno...