Optimizing the S.S.A. Ratio level indexes of the PBS process in Nissan’s production plant

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review the significance of Scheduling and Sequencing, this have an effect on the Scheduled Sequence Achievement Ratio (S.S.A.R.) rating in the Painted Body Storage (PBS) facility in Nissan’s production plant situated in Rosslyn. Nissan uses the S.S.A.R. rating to measure how the cars keep their scheduled sequence throughout the manufacturing process. This paper reviews methods for solving car sequencing problems, the first methods consists of Variable Neighbourhood Search, the second method of Ant Colony Optimization and the last method uses Greedy Heuristics. These methods are evaluated in terms of the problem we have at the PBS. A Heuristic is developed as a conceptual solution to address the sequencing problem at the PBS Facility. The objective of the Heuristic is to search for the minimum difference in Douki Seisan Number between the vehicles that is last in each lane 1 J and the vehicle that needs to be committed into the lanes. This Heuristic is implemented at the decision nodes in the PBS Facility. Results suggest the Heuristic have a greater impact on achieving better S.S.A.R. Ratings at the decision nodes than the current way of decision making that is based on the type of model.