Scheduling Power Transformer Manufacturing

Bottlenecks in the manufacturing process must be identified and planned optimally, while wait times need to be minimized in order to avoid delays. Finite capacity of resources such as vacuum and paint bays, as well as workforce availability, needs to be considered.

Transformer manufacturing involves numerous purchased components, with the necessity of minimizing semi-finished inventory. Material availability needs to be considered alongside different order specifications and different routings and priorities.

Before final assembly, all intermediate components need to be available at the right time. Primary and secondary windings, whether high, medium, or low voltage, have different assembly times and requirements, and it is a challenge to schedule multiple orders such that every coil, core, and tank can be ready at that time.