Optimization of the Capsule Production Stochastic Cycle Time

Abstract

Manufacturing speed is one of the most important factors in pharmaceutical production, since the drug excipient is sensitive and its exposure to light and temperature should be controlled. Therefore, by minimizing the manufacturing cycle time, the quality of product can be improved. This process also results in minimizing the cost of manufacturing such as working hours, human resource, energy consumption and overhead cost while increasing the system productivity. In this study, using a stochastic dynamic programming method, the stochastic manufacturing cycle time of pharmaceutical product in a plant with process layout and concurrent machines is minimized. The result of this study has been compared to simulation modeling of the process.