Switch-Off Policy in Flow Lines with Dynamic Fractional Task Assignation

Switch-off policies are widely used in manufacturing to reduce energy consumption during machine idle times without interfering with production. However, they can negatively impact productivity and customer performance. This study introduces a method that integrates switch-off policies with the dynamic allocation of fractional tasks between adjacent stations in a production line. Simulation models were developed to assess performance against two benchmark scenarios: “always on” and “no fractional tasks”. Results show that the proposed approach significantly reduces energy consumption while mitigating the adverse effects on customer performance. The integration of real-time data processing and adaptive task allocation maintains production efficiency under fluctuating demand and operational disturbances, supporting more sustainable manufacturing operations.