A new dispatching rule for optimizing machine utilization at a semiconductor test field

This paper presents a new dispatching rule for multi-product, multi-machine job shops with routing flexibility, targeting on maximizing throughput at a low level of WIP (Work In Process). It shows the relative advantage of the newly developed dispatching rule "Work in parallel queue" (WIPQ) in comparison to other dispatching rules which attempt to increase the production system throughput. A simulation study is performed with a simulation model derived from a real world production system, which is a semiconductor test field. The results of this paper are logistic characteristic curves for each of the discussed dispatching rules in the evaluated production system. The results indicate a significant improvement of throughput as well as a more balanced workload within the studied production system by implementing the WIPQ rule.