The Acordis acrylic fibres plant in Grimsby operates thirteen production lines, extruding four basic polymer types to make fibres. The Study Group was asked to design a tool to assist with production scheduling. There are twelve key variables which define the end product. All changes to these variables take time (some more than others) and low grade product or waste is produced during the changeover. The most common product change is in the fibre colour. It is believed that optimised production scheduling can reduce the number or duration of the changes. Production scheduling is currently carried out by one skilled person who has to consider both production issues and customer requirements. The Study Group was asked to design a tool to both help the scheduler and assist the production team leaders who periodically need to re-jig the production schedule outside of day hours and at short notice.

Problem presented by
Jon Taylor (Acordis Acrylic Fibres, Grimsby)

Study Group contributors
R. Eglese (University of Lancaster)
J. Gravesen (Technical University of Denmark)
P.G. Hjorth (Technical University of Denmark)
S.D. Howison (University of Oxford)
S. Khan (University of Cambridge)
R.A. Leese (Smith Institute)
A.N. Letchford (University of Lancaster)
S.D. Noble (Brunel University)
H. Tewkesbury (Smith Institute)