A genetic algorithm application using fuzzy processing times in non-identical parallel machine scheduling problem

There are many scheduling problems which are NP-hard in the literature. Several heuristics and dispatching rules are proposed to solve such hard combinatorial optimization problems. Genetic algorithms (GA) have shown great advantages in solving the combinatorial optimization problems in view of its characteristic that has high efficiency and that is fit for practical application [1]. Two different scale numerical examples demonstrate the genetic algorithm proposed is efficient and fit for larger scale identical parallel machine scheduling problem for minimizing the makespan. But, even though it is a common problem in the industry, only a small number of studies deal with non-identical parallel machines. In this article, a kind of genetic algorithm based on machine code for minimizing the processing times in non-identical machine scheduling problem is presented. Also triangular fuzzy processing times are used in order to adapt the GA to non-identical parallel machine scheduling problem in the paper. Fuzzy systems are excellent tools for representing heuristic, commonsense rules. That is why we try to use fuzzy systems in this study.     

Design of a genetic algorithm for bi-objective unrelated parallel machines scheduling with sequence-dependent setup times and precedence constraints

This paper presents a novel, two-level mixed-integer programming model of scheduling N jobs on M parallel machines that minimizes bi-objectives, namely the number of tardy jobs and the total completion time of all the jobs. The proposed model considers unrelated parallel machines. The jobs have non-identical due dates and ready times, and there are some precedence relations between them. Furthermore, sequence-dependent setup times, which are included in the proposed model, may be different for each machine depending on their characteristics. Obtaining an optimal solution for this type of complex, large-sized problem in reasonable computational time using traditional approaches or optimization tools is extremely difficult. This paper proposes an efficient genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the bi-objective parallel machine scheduling problem. The performance of the presented model and the proposed GA is verified by a number of numerical experiments. The related results show the effectiveness of the proposed model and GA for small and large-sized problems.     

解不同交货期并行机调度问题的并行遗传算法

为有效地解决不同交货期窗口下的非等同并行多机提前/拖后调度问题,设计了一种分段编码的混合遗传算法。此编码方式能反映工件的分配序列,并利用调度优先级规则和最好适应值规则相结合的启发式算法对其顺序进行了调整,加快了收敛速度。同时为了更好地适应调度实时性和解大规模此类问题的需要,基于遗传算法自然并行性特点的基础上,实现了主从式控制网络模式下并行混合遗传算法。计算结果表明,此算法是有效的,优于遗传算法,有着较高的并行性,并能适用于大规模不同交货期窗口下非等同并行多机提前/拖后调度问题。     

并行机成组调度问题的启发式算法

研究了优化目标为总拖后/提前时间最小化的并行机成组调度问题,提出了一种三阶段启发式近似求解算法。首先把并行机问题看成单机问题,以最小化总拖后时间为优化目标排列工件的加工次序;然后将工件按第一阶段所求得的次序指派到最先空闲的并行的机器上;最后采用改进的GTW算法对各机器上的工件调度插入适当的空闲时间。计算表明该算法能够在很短的时间内给出大规模调度问题的近似最优解。     

Two-stage hybrid batching flowshop scheduling with blocking and machine availability constraints using genetic algorithm

This research investigates a two-stage hybrid flowshop scheduling problem in a metal-working company. The first stage consists of multiple parallel machines and the second stage has only one machine. Four characteristics of the company have substantiated the complexity of the problem. First, all machines in stage one are able to process multiple jobs simultaneously but the jobs must be sequentially set up one after another. Second, the setup time of each job is separated from its processing time and depends upon its preceding job. Third, a blocking environment exists between two stages with no intermediate buffer storage. Finally, machines are not continuously available due to the preventive maintenance and machine breakdown. Two types of machine unavailability, namely, deterministic case and stochastic case, are identified in this problem. The former occurs on stage-two machine with the start time and the end time known in advance. The latter occurs on one of the parallel machine in stage one and a real-time rescheduling will be triggered. Minimizing the makespan is considered as the objective to develop the optimal scheduling algorithm. A genetic algorithm is used to obtain a near-optimal solution. The computational results with actual data are favorable and superior over the results from existing manual schedules.     

改进遗传算法的并行任务调度

并行任务调度是一个NP完全问题,它关注资源的分配和并行任务调度,要求具有高性能的调度算法,且能求解出高质量的解。提出了一种基于改进遗传算法的并行任务调度算法,在算法初始化种群产生时引入任务向量矩阵来表示任务、资源以及调度的关系,并采用启发式方法得到初始化种群,提高种群质量;采用规则约束的交叉和变异操作,提高个体的质量;提出了加速进化策略,有效地避免了早熟。仿真实验结果表明,该改进算法能更有效地求解并行任务调度问题。     

Group shops scheduling with makespan criterion subject to random release dates and processing times

This paper deals with a stochastic group shop scheduling problem. The group shop scheduling problem is a general formulation that includes the other shop scheduling problems such as the flow shop, the job shop and the open shop scheduling problems. Both the release date of each job and the processing time of each job on each machine are random variables with known distributions. The objective is to find a job schedule which minimizes the expected makespan. First, the problem is formulated in a form of stochastic programming and then a lower bound on the expected makespan is proposed which may be used as a measure for evaluating the performance of a solution without simulating. To solve the stochastic problem efficiently, a simulation optimization approach is developed that is a hybrid of an ant colony optimization algorithm and a heuristic algorithm to generate good solutions and a discrete event simulation model to evaluate the expected makespan. The proposed approach is tested on instances where the random variables are normally, exponentially or uniformly distributed and gives promising results.     

Fuzzy due-date scheduling problem with fuzzy processing time

For most of scheduling problems, jobs' processing times and due-dates are treated as certain values, but that is not proper to all actual situations. Processing times are not constant because of measurement errors in the data sets for deciding them and/or human actions in the manufacturing process. However, we may be permitted to exceed due-dates slightly. In this paper, we propose a model dealing with uncertain processing times and flexible due-dates in consideration of real situations. Assuming the times and due-dates to be fuzzy numbers, and defining a fuzzy tardiness for a job's due-date, we design to minimize the number of tardy jobs in our problem formulation.     

Single machine scheduling problems under position-dependent fuzzy learning effect with fuzzy processing times

In this paper, we consider single machine scheduling problems under position-dependent fuzzy learning effect with fuzzy processing times. We study three objectives which are to minimize makespan, total completion time and total weighted completion time. Furthermore, we show that these three problems are polynomially solvable under position-dependent fuzzy learning effects with fuzzy processing times. In order to model the uncertainty of fuzzy model parameters such as processing time and learning effect, we use an approach called likelihood profile that depends on the possibility and necessity measures of fuzzy parameters. For three objective functions, we build Fuzzy Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (FMINP) models using dependent chance constrained programming techniques for the same predetermined confidence levels. Furthermore, we present polynomially solvable algorithms for different confidence levels for these problems.     

Two branch-and-bound algorithms for the robust parallel machine scheduling problem

Uncertainty is an inevitable element in many practical production planning and scheduling environments. When a due date is predetermined for performing a set of jobs for a customer, production managers are often concerned with establishing a schedule with the highest possible confidence of meeting the due date. In this paper, we study the problem of scheduling a given number of jobs on a specified number of identical parallel machines when the processing time of each job is stochastic. Our goal is to find a robust schedule that maximizes the customer service level, which is the probability of the makespan not exceeding the due date. We develop two branch-and-bound algorithms for finding an optimal solution; the two algorithms differ mainly in their branching scheme. We generate a set of benchmark instances and compare the performance of the algorithms based on this dataset.     

A hybrid genetic algorithm for the single machine scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup times

This paper presents a hybrid approach based on the integration between a genetic algorithm (GA) and concepts from constraint programming, multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and ant colony optimization for solving a scheduling problem. The main contributions are the integration of these concepts in a GA crossover operator. The proposed methodology is applied to a single machine scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup times for the objective of minimizing the total tardiness. A sensitivity analysis of the hybrid approach is carried out to compare the performance of the GA and the hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) approaches on different benchmarks from the literature. The numerical experiments demonstrate the HGA efficiency and effectiveness which generates solutions that approach those of the known reference sets and improves several lower bounds.     

Parallel machine total tardiness scheduling with a new hybrid metaheuristic approach

This work proposes a hybrid metaheuristic (HMH) approach which integrates several features from tabu search (TS), simulated annealing (SA) and variable neighbourhood search (VNS) in a new configurable scheduling algorithm. In particular, either a deterministic or a random candidate list strategy can be used to generate the neighbourhood of a solution, both a tabu list mechanism and the SA probabilistic rule can be adopted to accept solutions, and the dimension of the explored neighbourhood can be dynamically modified. The considered class of scheduling problems is characterized by a set of independent jobs to be executed on a set of parallel machines with non-zero ready times and sequence dependent setups. In particular, the NP-hard generalized parallel machine total tardiness problem (GPMTP) recently defined by Bilge et al. [A tabu search algorithm for parallel machine total tardiness problem. Computers & Operations Research 2004;31:397–414], is faced. Several alternative configurations of the HMH have been tested on the same benchmark set used by Bilge et al. The results obtained highlight the appropriateness of the proposed approach.     

基于改进离散人工蜂群算法的同类机调度优化

针对一类最小化最大完工时间的同类机调度问题,考虑到机器的加工效率和产品的交付时间,引入同类机调度问题的数学模型,提出一种改进的离散型人工蜂群算法（IDABC）求解该问题。首先,引入种群初始化策略,得到均匀分布的种群,并获得待优参数的生成策略,加快种群的收敛;其次,借鉴差分进化算法的变异算子和模拟退火算法的思想,改进雇佣蜂和跟随蜂的局部搜索策略,并利用最优解的优质信息改进侦察蜂,增加种群多样性、防止算法陷入局部最优;最后,分析算法的性能和参数,并将改进的算法应用于同类机调度问题,在15个算例上的实验结果表明,与混合离散人工蜂群（HDABC）算法相比,IDABC的求解精度和稳定性分别平均提高了4.1%和26.9%,且具有更好的收敛性,表明在实际场景中IDABC可以有效求解同类机调度问题。     

实时分布处理系统的分层遗传调度方法

提出了一种将分层分组调度算法融入实时分布处理系统的并行设计,并结合遗传算法进行任务调度的方法。首先对初始系统有向非循环图(directed acyclic graph,DAG)分层分组;然后在层间进行均衡化的乒乓流水设计,重构系统,使系统均衡化;最后针对重构的系统编制相适应的二维染色体码,运用遗传算法进行调度。实验结果表明较之单纯的分层分组方法和遗传算法,系统的时延得到明显优化,算法的收敛速度提高。     

A bi-objective possibilistic programming model for open shop scheduling problems with sequence-dependent setup times, fuzzy processing times, and fuzzy due dates

We are concerned with an open shop scheduling problem having sequence-dependent setup times. A novel bi-objective possibilistic mixed-integer linear programming model is presented. Sequence-dependent setup times, fuzzy processing times and fuzzy due dates with triangular possibility distributions are the main constraints of this model. An open shop scheduling problem with these considerations is close to the real production scheduling conditions. The objective functions are to minimize total weighted tardiness and total weighted completion times. To solve small-sized instances for Pareto-optimal solutions, an interactive fuzzy multi-objective decision making (FMODM) approach, called TH method proposed by Torabi and Hassini, is applied. Using this method, an equivalent auxiliary single-objective crisp model is obtained and solved optimally by the Lingo software. For medium to large size examples, a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is proposed. This algorithm consists of a decoding procedure using a permutation list to reduce the search area in the solution space. Also, a local search algorithm is applied to generate good initial particle positions. Finally, to evaluate the effectiveness of the MOPSO algorithm, the results are compared with the ones obtained by the well-known SPEA-II, using design of experiments (DOE) based on some performance metrics.     

Modified genetic algorithms for solving fuzzy flow shop scheduling problems and their implementation with CUDA

In this paper we propose an improved algorithm to search optimal solutions to the flow shop scheduling problems with fuzzy processing times and fuzzy due dates. A longest common substring method is proposed to combine with the random key method. Numerical simulation shows that longest common substring method combined with rearranging mating method improves the search efficiency of genetic algorithm in this problem. For application in large-sized problems, we also enhance this modified algorithm by CUDA based parallel computation. Numerical experiments show that the performances of the CUDA program on GPU compare favorably to the traditional programs on CPU. Based on the modified algorithm invoking with CUDA scheme, we can search satisfied solutions to the fuzzy flow shop scheduling problems with high performance.     

Bicriterion scheduling with equal processing times on a batch processing machine

In this paper we consider the problem of scheduling jobs with equal processing times on a single batch processing machine so as to minimize a primary and a secondary criteria. We provide optimal polynomial time algorithms for various combinations of the primary and secondary criteria.     

基于递阶遗传算法的并行多机调度优化

针对最小化完工时间的等同和非等同并行多机调度一类问题，提出了一种递阶遗传算法。该算法根据问题的特点，采用一种递阶编码方案，此编码与调度方案一一对应。用递阶遗传算法优化并行多机调度不需设计专门的遗传算子，操作简单。计算结果表明，递阶遗传算法是有效的，能适用于大规模等同和非等同并行多机调度问题。     

Unrelated parallel machine scheduling with setup times and a total weighted tardiness objective

This paper presents several search heuristics and their performance in batch scheduling of parallel, unrelated machines. Identical or similar jobs are typically processed in batches in order to decrease setup times and/or processing times. The problem accounts for allotting batched work parts into unrelated parallel machines, where each batch consists of a fixed number of jobs. Some batches may contain different jobs but all jobs within each batch should have an identical processing time and a common due date. Processing time of each job of a batch is determined according to the machine group as well as the batch group to which the job belongs. Major or minor setup times are required between two subsequent batches depending on batch sequence but are independent of machines. The objective of our study is to minimize the total weighted tardiness for the unrelated parallel machine scheduling. Four search heuristics are proposed to address the problem, namely (1) the earliest weighted due date, (2) the shortest weighted processing time, (3) the two-level batch scheduling heuristic, and (4) the simulated annealing method. These proposed local search heuristics are tested through computational experiments with data from dicing operations of a compound semiconductor manufacturing facility.