Dynamic information control for multi-echelon production-distribution systems with constrained production capacity

Abstract

In industrial production-distribution systems, production and purchasingrates, associated inventories, and sales are very critical incontributing to the profits of each component. The objective of thisstudy is to investigate effective information control for aproduction-distribution system by automatic feedback control techniques.A discrete-time dynamic control scheme is applied to a multi-echelonproduction-distribution system described by a continuous-time model withuncertainties of 50 per cent. When an upper limit is imposed on theproductive rate by available factory space and capital equipment,supervisory control is implemented to avoid reset-windup anddeterioration of system performance. A numerical example is used to showthe effectiveness of supervisory control for uncertain multi-echelonproduction-distribution systems with constrained production capacity.For a step increase in product demand, unfilled orders at retail (apercentage of retail sales) rises smoothly to its new steady value withlittle overshoot. The supervisory controller implemented here modifiesthe system dynamics to handle entry and appropriate exit from themanufacturing capacity constraint.