Optimizing Production Processes through 5G- Enabled Job Shop Scheduling: A Case Study

Abstract

The complexity of scheduling in manufacturing systems, is examined in this article, with a focus on the important factors that determine time and production costs. Addressing the inefficiencies in resource utilization and recognizing the limited integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly the transformative 5G, in Kosovo’s Manufacturing Industry, we advocate for an advanced scheduling model. This model aims to propel productivity, curtail production time and elevate overall manufacturing system performance. Grounded in linear programming, our developed model strategically optimizes the objective function, encompassing total flow time and makespan. Significantly, the model achieves optimal allocation of start and end times for each job, coupled with an efficient overall processing time, substantially reducing planning times for “job shop” scheduling problems. Beyond the immediate benefits, our adaptable scheduling model stands poised for seamless modification to accommodate diverse objective functions and instances, including the incorporation of 5G technology. The practical case study underscores the tangible benefits of our approach, showcasing its ability to streamline production processes and enhance operational efficiency within a real-world manufacturing setting. Future iterations may harness 5G's transformative capabilities to further refine and improve the efficiency of the scheduling process.