Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays

Single- and small-batch production requires flexible production control to maximise machine reliability and minimise delivery delays. Existing planning approaches often do not take into account the dynamic production conditions of these environments, where machine breakdowns, variable order volumes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alexandra Maierhofer, Sebastian Trojahn, Frank Ryll
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4287
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849712339244285952
author Alexandra Maierhofer
Sebastian Trojahn
Frank Ryll
author_facet Alexandra Maierhofer
Sebastian Trojahn
Frank Ryll
author_sort Alexandra Maierhofer
collection DOAJ
description Single- and small-batch production requires flexible production control to maximise machine reliability and minimise delivery delays. Existing planning approaches often do not take into account the dynamic production conditions of these environments, where machine breakdowns, variable order volumes and short-term changes lead to inefficiencies. This paper presents an enhanced job-shop scheduling model that integrates preventive maintenance strategies directly into production control. Using a mixed-integer programming approach, machine allocation and maintenance measures are optimised simultaneously in order to reduce unplanned downtimes and make efficient use of free time slots. The model is implemented in Python with Pyomo (Python 3.13.0 and Pyomo Version: 6.8.0) and validated using a scenario. The results show that an adaptive maintenance strategy contributes significantly to reducing machine downtimes without compromising production output. Visualisations support users in their decision-making by clearly presenting machine availability, maintenance slots and production orders. The approach is specifically designed for production and maintenance planners who need efficient and adaptable scheduling in volatile production environments. Compared to traditional maintenance models, this approach improves schedule adherence and optimises resource utilisation by dynamically linking production control and maintenance planning.
format Article
id doaj-art-9c898e3e9cc04e18a243b5ad31356ec6
institution DOAJ
issn 2076-3417
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-9c898e3e9cc04e18a243b5ad31356ec62025-08-20T03:14:17ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158428710.3390/app15084287Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising DelaysAlexandra Maierhofer0Sebastian Trojahn1Frank Ryll2Department of Economics, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Strenzfelder Allee 28, 06406 Bernburg, GermanyDepartment of Economics, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Strenzfelder Allee 28, 06406 Bernburg, GermanyFraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, Sandtorstrasse 22, 39106 Magdeburg, GermanySingle- and small-batch production requires flexible production control to maximise machine reliability and minimise delivery delays. Existing planning approaches often do not take into account the dynamic production conditions of these environments, where machine breakdowns, variable order volumes and short-term changes lead to inefficiencies. This paper presents an enhanced job-shop scheduling model that integrates preventive maintenance strategies directly into production control. Using a mixed-integer programming approach, machine allocation and maintenance measures are optimised simultaneously in order to reduce unplanned downtimes and make efficient use of free time slots. The model is implemented in Python with Pyomo (Python 3.13.0 and Pyomo Version: 6.8.0) and validated using a scenario. The results show that an adaptive maintenance strategy contributes significantly to reducing machine downtimes without compromising production output. Visualisations support users in their decision-making by clearly presenting machine availability, maintenance slots and production orders. The approach is specifically designed for production and maintenance planners who need efficient and adaptable scheduling in volatile production environments. Compared to traditional maintenance models, this approach improves schedule adherence and optimises resource utilisation by dynamically linking production control and maintenance planning.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4287machine reliabilityoptimisation modelpreventive maintenanceproduction schedulingsmall-batch manufacturingsustainable manufacturing
spellingShingle Alexandra Maierhofer
Sebastian Trojahn
Frank Ryll
Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
Applied Sciences
machine reliability
optimisation model
preventive maintenance
production scheduling
small-batch manufacturing
sustainable manufacturing
title Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
title_full Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
title_fullStr Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
title_short Dynamic Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance in Small-Batch Production: A Flexible Control Approach for Maximising Machine Reliability and Minimising Delays
title_sort dynamic scheduling and preventive maintenance in small batch production a flexible control approach for maximising machine reliability and minimising delays
topic machine reliability
optimisation model
preventive maintenance
production scheduling
small-batch manufacturing
sustainable manufacturing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4287
work_keys_str_mv AT alexandramaierhofer dynamicschedulingandpreventivemaintenanceinsmallbatchproductionaflexiblecontrolapproachformaximisingmachinereliabilityandminimisingdelays
AT sebastiantrojahn dynamicschedulingandpreventivemaintenanceinsmallbatchproductionaflexiblecontrolapproachformaximisingmachinereliabilityandminimisingdelays
AT frankryll dynamicschedulingandpreventivemaintenanceinsmallbatchproductionaflexiblecontrolapproachformaximisingmachinereliabilityandminimisingdelays