Mathematical Model for Production Scheduling and Deadline Compliance in the Sausage Industry

Abstract

The increasing complexity of production processes in the food industry requires advanced planning strategies to enhance efficiency and ensure timely order fulfillment. Challenges such as idle times, capacity constraints, and material waste can significantly impact production performance, making optimization essential for maintaining competitiveness. To address these challenges, this study develops a mathematical model based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to optimize production scheduling and ensure compliance with delivery deadlines in sausage manufacturing. Implemented through an interactive dashboard in Excel with VBA, the model enables users to input product demand and target production dates, generating optimal solutions for synchronizing production stages and maximizing resource utilization. The results include precise calculations for the quantities required at each production stage, optimized start and end times, and an efficient allocation of products to available machines. Additionally, line and bar charts illustrate process times per area and product distribution, enabling the identification of bottlenecks and supporting strategic decision-making. The integration of Solver and VBA in Excel proves to be a cost-effective and adaptable solution to enhance competitiveness in high-demand environments with limited resources