SpineML: Factory Layout & Job Shop Optimization

A Python toolkit designed to optimize factory layout planning (FLP) and job shop scheduling (JSS) through advanced layout modeling and simulation.

#data-visualization#factory-layout#manufacturing-systems#open-source#optimization#python#scheduling#simulation
GitHub RepositorySponsor Project🔬TRL 4

Technology Readiness Level

Technology Validated in Lab

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Key components and software architecture modules are integrated and tested together in a controlled laboratory environment, establishing that disparate elements work together to achieve baseline performance.

Framework alignment: Standardized 9-level TRL (NASA / EU Horizon Europe).

Core Challenge

Industrial factory layout planning (FLP) and job shop scheduling (JSS) are complex combinatorial problems with high coordination effort and planning overhead.

System Architecture

A Python-based toolkit for spine layout modeling, discrete-event simulation, and optimization of manufacturing systems and material transport.

Key Capabilities

  • Spine Layout Modeling: Formal modeling of factory architectures with a central transport spine and perpendicular side ribs.
  • Discrete-Event Simulation: Performance evaluation of material flow, robot transport corridors, and machine buffer stations.
  • Bottleneck Optimization: Algorithmic derivation of optimal job routing, scheduling strategies, and machine utilization.
  • Modular Python Toolkit: Extensible open-source architecture allowing rapid exploration of factory layout design spaces.

Technology Stack

  • Core Language & Modeling: Python, Spine Layout Architecture, Domain Modeling
  • Simulation & Operations: Discrete-Event Simulation, Material Flow Analysis, Job Shop Scheduling

Verifiable Outcomes

  • Presented and published at the CIRP Conference on Manufacturing Systems (CIRP-CMS 2025).
  • Open-source Python toolkit available on GitHub (github.com/ghackenberg/SpineML).
  • Proven methodology for optimizing machine utilization and factory logistics throughput.

Project Screenshots

Interface walkthroughs, system diagrams, and visual demonstrations from SpineML: Factory Layout & Job Shop Optimization.

3D Discrete-Event Simulation: Real-time 3D animation of gantry robots, machining stations, and buffer zones modeled in Salabim.

3D Discrete-Event Simulation

Real-time 3D animation of gantry robots, machining stations, and buffer zones modeled in Salabim.

Factory Layout Architecture: Formal spine layout topology with central automated transport axis, machine cells, and input/output buffers.

Factory Layout Architecture

Formal spine layout topology with central automated transport axis, machine cells, and input/output buffers.

Manufacturing Process Flow: Process configuration model specifying product transformations, operations, and intermediate states.

Manufacturing Process Flow

Process configuration model specifying product transformations, operations, and intermediate states.

Configuration Model Graph: NetworkX graph visualization displaying product types, manufacturing operations, and material dependencies.

Configuration Model Graph

NetworkX graph visualization displaying product types, manufacturing operations, and material dependencies.

Simulation Performance Metrics: Matplotlib performance evaluation charting machine utilization, operational workloads, and queue statistics.

Simulation Performance Metrics

Matplotlib performance evaluation charting machine utilization, operational workloads, and queue statistics.