The project description: applying optimization methods for production planning in electronic manufacturing

The purpose of the PROPOS project is to develop generic software components for scheduling and routing problems. The project is carried out as a part of the TOOLMET technology programme funded by TEKES, which is Technology Development Centre in Finland. TOOLMET makes tool environments and development methods for adaptive and intelligent system applications. One goal of the project is to compare different optimization methods and their suitability for case applications. We aim to use simple methods and solutions which are easy to apply to complex problems. The main focus is on heuristic driven stochastic methods. In these kinds of methods, software components can be more easily configured later in case of production line modifications or new applications. In the project, an optimization software prototype is planned for an electronic manufacturing case. The purpose of the prototype is to help one production planner quickly make good production plans, which are within the constraints and to easily verify plans in varying situations. One reason for the project is the lack of compact and easy to use optimization software tools. Optimization problems in the factories often have so many limitations and special needs that one available commercial software is not easily used or needs a certain amount of customising. In the PROPOS project the customised optimization software components are developed first and lastly divided into generic modules.