Job shop configuration with queueing networks and simulated annealing

A novel method for equipment planning is proposed for job type production systems, and computer experiment results obtained with a semiconductor fab model are given. The production system is modeled as an open queueing network (QN). The number of servers in the shops are then optimized by simulated annealing. The experiment demonstrated that the process considered is far faster than configuring the job shops manually, and that the configuration obtained is optimum, thus resolving the disadvantages of the traditional method. An advantage of the approach presented is that a wider range of parameter (e.g. product mix) optimization can be handled with the same combination of QN and annealing