An expert system, in which preconditions and rules are expressed in logical formulas, is developed to support the scheduling of an automated job shop type multi-item assembly line. This system has the foIIowing characteristics to apply any case of schedulings: (1)Forward scheduling orbackward scheduling can be made. (2)The criterion on the input order of products, the dispatching process at each assembly station, and the selection of products from a buffer can be selected from several priority criteria. (3)Layout, number and velocity of vehicles, and the capacity of each buffer can be changed.