Minimizing maximum tardiness and delivery costs in a batched delivery system

High delivery costs usually urge manufacturers to dispatch their jobs in batches. However, dispatching the jobs in batches can have profound negative effects on important scheduling objective functions such as minimizing maximum tardiness. This paper considers a single machine scheduling problem with the aim of minimizing the maximum tardiness and delivery costs in a single-machine scheduling problem with batched delivery system. A mathematical model is developed for this problem which can serve to solve it with the help of a commercial solver. However, due to the fact that this model happens to be a mixed integer nonlinear programming model the solver cannot guarantee to reach the global solution. For this reason, a branch and bound algorithm (B&B) is presented to obtain the global solution. Besides, a heuristic algorithm for calculation of the initial upper bound is introduced. Computational results show that the algorithm can be beneficial for solving this problem, especially for large size instances.     

A knowledge-based approach for multi-factory production systems

This paper investigates scheduling of jobs with deadlines across a serial multi-factory supply chain which involves minimizing sum of total tardiness and total transportation costs. Jobs can be transported among factories and can be delivered to the customer in batches which have limited capacity. The aim of this optimization problem is threefold: (1) determining the number of batches, (2) assigning jobs to batches, and (3) scheduling the batches production and delivery in each factory. The proposed problem formulated as a mixed-integer linear program. Then the model's performance is analyzed and evaluated through two examples. Moreover, a knowledge-based imperialistic competitive algorithm (KBICA) is also presented to find an approximate optimum solution for the problem. Computational experiments of the proposed problem investigate the efficiency of the method through different sizes of the test problems.     

Single machine batch scheduling with release times and delivery costs

We study single machine batch scheduling with release times. Our goal is to minimize the sum of weighted flow times (or completion times) and delivery costs. Since the problem is strongly $\mathcal{NP}$ -hard even with no delivery cost and identical weights for all jobs, an approximation algorithm is presented for the problem with identical weights. This uses the polynomial time solution we give for the preemptive version of the problem. We also present an evolutionary metaheuristic algorithm for the general case. Computational results show very small gaps between the results of the metaheuristic and the lower bound.     

Complexity results for an integrated single machine scheduling and outbound delivery problem with fixed sequence

In this paper, we consider an integrated production and outbound delivery scheduling problem. In particular, we address the situation in which the scheduling sequence and the delivery sequence are the same and predefined. A set of jobs are processed on a single machine, and finished jobs are delivered to the customers by a single capacitated vehicle. Each job has a processing time, and transportation times between customers are taken into account. Because the sequence is given, the problem consists in forming batches of jobs and our objective is to minimize the sum of the delivery times or general functions of the delivery times. The NP-hardness of the general problem is established, and a pseudopolynomial time dynamic programming algorithm is given. Some particular cases are treated, for which NP-hardness proofs and polynomial time algorithms are given. Finally, a fixed-parameter tractability result is given.     

Approximation algorithms for minimizing the total weighted number of late jobs with late deliveries in two-level supply chains

We study a supply chain scheduling problem in which n jobs have to be scheduled on a single machine and delivered to m customers in batches. Each job has a due date, a processing time and a lateness penalty (weight). To save batch-delivery costs, several jobs for the same customer can be delivered together in a batch, including late jobs. The completion time of each job in the same batch coincides with the batch completion time. A batch setup time has to be added before processing the first job in each batch. The objective is to find a schedule which minimizes the sum of the weighted number of late jobs and the delivery costs. We present a pseudo-polynomial algorithm for a restricted case, where late jobs are delivered separately, and show that it becomes polynomial for the special cases when jobs have equal weights and equal delivery costs or equal processing times and equal setup times. We convert the algorithm into an FPTAS and prove that the solution produced by it is near-optimal for the original general problem by performing a parametric analysis of its performance ratio.     

An Online Algorithm for a Problem in Scheduling with?Set-ups?and Release Times

We address the problem of sequential single machine scheduling of jobs with release times, where jobs are classified into types, and the machine must be properly configured to handle jobs of a given type. The objective is to minimize the maximum flow time (time from release until completion) of any job. We consider this problem under the assumptions of sequence independent set-up times and item availability with the objective of minimizing the maximum flow time. We present an online algorithm that is O(1)-competitive, that is, always gets within a constant factor of optimal. We also show that exact offline optimization of maximum flow time is NP-hard.     

Common due date assignment and scheduling with a rate-modifying activity to minimize the due date,earliness, tardiness,holding, and batch delivery cost

e consider a single-machine batch delivery scheduling and common due date assignment problem. In addition to making decisions on sequencing the jobs, determining the common due date, and scheduling job delivery, we consider the option of performing a rate-modifying activity on the machine. The processing time of a job scheduled after the rate-modifying activity decreases depending on a job-dependent factor. Finished jobs are delivered in batches. There is no capacity limit on each delivery batch, and the cost per batch delivery is fixed and independent of the number of jobs in the batch. The objective is to find a common due date for all the jobs, a location of the rate-modifying activity, and a delivery date for each job to minimize the sum of earliness, tardiness, holding, due date, and delivery cost. We provide some properties of the optimal schedule for the problem and present polynomial algorithms for some special cases.     

Machine scheduling with job class setup and delivery considerations

We study machine scheduling problems in which the jobs belong to different job classes and they need to be delivered to customers after processing. A setup time is required for a job if it is the first job to be processed on a machine or its processing on a machine follows a job that belongs to another class. Processed jobs are delivered in batches to their respective customers. The batch size is limited by the capacity of the delivery vehicles and each shipment incurs a transport cost and takes a fixed amount of time. The objective is to minimize the weighted sum of the last arrival time of jobs to customers and the delivery (transportation) cost. For the problem of processing jobs on a single machine and delivering them to multiple customers, we develop a dynamic programming algorithm to solve the problem optimally. For the problem of processing jobs on parallel machines and delivering them to a single customer, we propose a heuristic and analyze its performance bound.     

Single-machine batch delivery scheduling with job release dates,due windows and earliness,tardiness, holding and delivery costs

This paper deals with a single-machine scheduling problem in which jobs are released in different points in time but delivered to customers in batches. A due window is associated with each job. The objective is to schedule the jobs, to form them into batches and to decide the delivery date of each batch so as to minimize the sum of earliness, tardiness, holding, and delivery costs. A mathematical model of the problem is presented, and a set of dominance properties is established. To solve this NP-hard problem efficiently, a solution method is then proposed by incorporating the dominance properties with an imperialist competitive algorithm. Unforced idleness and forming discontinuous batches are allowed in the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the delivery date of a batch may be decided to be later than the completion time of the last job in the batch. Finally, computational experiments are conducted to evaluate the proposed model and solution procedure, and results are discussed.     

Scheduling Parallel Machines for the Customer Order Problem

This paper considers scheduling problems where jobs are dispatched in batches. The objective is to minimize the sum of the completion times of the batches. While a machine can process only one job at a time, multiple machines can simultaneously process jobs in a batch. This simple environment has a variety of real world applications such as part kitting and customer order scheduling.A heuristic is presented for the parallel machine version of the problem. Also, a tight worst case bound on the relative error is found. For the case of two parallel machines, we examine two heuristics, which are based on simple scheduling rules. We find tight worst case bounds of 6/5 and 9/7 on the relative error and show that neither procedure is superior for all instances. Finally, we empirically evaluate these two heuristics. For large problems, the methods find solutions that are close to optimal.     

具有线性恶化加工时间的调度问题

讨论了工件具有线性恶化加工时间的调度问题.在这类问题中,工件的恶化函数为线性 函数.对单机调度问题中目标函数为极小化最大完工时间加权完工时间和,最大延误以及最大费 用等问题分别给出了最优算法.对两台机器极小化最大完工时间的Flowshop问题,证明了利用 Johnson规则可以得到最优调度.对于一般情况,如果同一工件的工序的加工时间均相等,则 Flowshop问题可以转化为单机问题.     

A note to due-window assignment and single machine scheduling with deteriorating jobs and a rate-modifying activity

This note considers a single machine scheduling and due-window assignment problem, in which the processing time of a job is a linear function of its starting time and the job-independent deterioration rates are identical for all jobs. We allow an option for performing a rate-modifying activity for changing the normal processing times of the jobs following this activity. The objective is to schedule the jobs, the due-window and the rate-modifying activity so as to minimize the sum of earliness, tardiness and due-window starting time and due-window size costs. We introduce a polynomial solution for the problem.     

Integrated production and outbound distribution scheduling problems with job release dates and deadlines

In this paper, we study an integrated production and outbound distribution scheduling model with one manufacturer and one customer. The manufacturer has to process a set of jobs on a single machine and deliver them in batches to the customer. Each job has a release date and a delivery deadline. The objective of the problem is to issue a feasible integrated production and distribution schedule minimizing the transportation cost subject to the production release dates and delivery deadline constraints. We consider three problems with different ways how a job can be produced and delivered: non-splittable production and delivery (NSP–NSD) problem, splittable production and non-splittable delivery problem and splittable production and delivery problem. We provide polynomial-time algorithms that solve special cases of the problem. One of these algorithms allows us to compute a lower bound for the NP-hard problem NSP–NSD, which we use in a branch-and-bound (B&B) algorithm to solve problem NSP–NSD. The computational results show that the B&B algorithm outperforms a MILP formulation of the problem implemented on a commercial solver.     

Minimizing the weighted sum of maximum earliness and maximum tardiness costs on a single machine with periodic preventive maintenance

We consider the problem of scheduling a set of jobs on a single machine against a common and restrictive due date. In particular, we are interested in the problem of minimizing the weighted sum of maximum earliness and maximum tardiness costs. This kind of objective function is related to the just-in-time environment where penalties, such as storage cost and additional charges for late delivery, should be avoided. First we present a mixed integer linear model for the problem without availability constraints and we prove that this model can be reduced to a polynomial-time model. Secondly, we suppose that the machine undergoes a periodic preventive maintenance. We present then a second mixed integer linear model to solve the problem to optimality. Although the latter problem can be solved to optimality for small instances, we show that the problem reduces to the one-dimensional bin packing problem. Computational results show that the proposed algorithm best fit decreasing performs well.     

Scheduling jobs under decreasing linear deterioration

This paper considers the scheduling problems under decreasing linear deterioration. Deterioration of a job means that its processing time is a function of its execution start time. Optimal algorithms are presented respectively for single machine scheduling of minimizing the makespan, maximum lateness, maximum cost and number of late jobs. For two-machine flow shop scheduling problem to minimize the makespan, it is proved that the optimal schedule can be obtained by Johnson's rule. If the processing times of operations are equal for each job, flow shop scheduling problems can be transformed into single machine scheduling problems.     

恒速处理机的多机Flow shop最小和调度问题的启发式算法分析

本文研究有n个作业需在5个处理机中心进行加工，处理机中心i由l1个恒速机组成的非抢占式多机flow shop调度最小和问题．每个作业有s个工序，每个工序需在对应的处理机中心的任一台机器上加工处理，作业到达前不能加工，所有作业通过处理机中心的路径相同．目标是确定一个作业在每个处理机中心机器上的可行调度序列，使所有作业在最后处理机中心的加权完成时间总和最小化．在作业处理时间需求、作业权重分别为独立同分布的有界随机变量时，通过特殊flow shop调度松弛方法，我们证明该问题在作业数趋于无穷时，一个基于有效作业最短加权平均处理时间需求的启发式算法是渐近最优的．     

Scheduling two-stage hybrid flow shops with parallel batch, release time, and machine eligibility constraints

This paper investigates a difficult scheduling problem on a specialized two-stage hybrid flow shop with multiple processors that appears in semiconductor manufacturing industry, where the first and second stages process serial jobs and parallel batches, respectively. The objective is to seek job-machine, job-batch, and batch-machine assignments such that makespan is minimized, while considering parallel batch, release time, and machine eligibility constraints. We first propose a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation for this problem, then gives a heuristic approach for solving larger problems. In order to handle real world large-scale scheduling problems, we propose an efficient dispatching rule called BFIFO that assigns jobs or batches to machines based on first-in-first-out principle, and then give several reoptimization techniques using MIP and local search heuristics involving interchange, translocation and transposition among assigned jobs. Computational experiments indicate our proposed re-optimization techniques are efficient. In particular, our approaches can produce good solutions for scheduling up to 160 jobs on 40 machines at both stages within 10?min.     

Scheduling a Single Server in a Two-machine Flow Shop

We study the problem of scheduling a single server that processes n jobs in a two-machine flow shop environment. A machine dependent setup time is needed whenever the server switches from one machine to the other. The problem with a given job sequence is shown to be reducible to a single machine batching problem. This result enables several cases of the server scheduling problem to be solved in O(n log n) by known algorithms, namely, finding a schedule feasible with respect to a given set of deadlines, minimizing the maximum lateness and, if the job processing times are agreeable, minimizing the total completion time. Minimizing the total weighted completion time is shown to be NP-hard in the strong sense. Two pseudopolynomial dynamic programming algorithms are presented for minimizing the weighted number of late jobs. Minimizing the number of late jobs is proved to be NP-hard even if setup times are equal and there are two distinct due dates. This problem is solved in O(n ³) time when all job processing times on the first machine are equal, and it is solved in O(n ⁴) time when all processing times on the second machine are equal. Received November 20, 2001; revised October 18, 2002 Published online: January 16, 2003     

A DP algorithm for minimizing makespan and total completion time on a series-batching machine

This paper studies a bicriteria scheduling problem on a series-batching machine with objective of minimizing makespan and total completion time simultaneously. A series-batching machine is a machine that can handle up to b jobs in a batch and the completion time of all jobs in a batch is equal to the finishing time of the last job in the batch and the processing time of a batch is the sum of the processing times of jobs in the batch. In addition, there is a constant setup time s for each batch. For the problem we can find all Pareto optimal solutions in O(n²) time by a dynamic programming algorithm, where n denotes the number of jobs.     

Heuristic scheduling of jobs on parallel batch machines with incompatible job families and unequal ready times

This research is motivated by a scheduling problem found in the diffusion and oxidation areas of semiconductor wafer fabrication, where the machines can be modeled as parallel batch processors. We attempt to minimize total weighted tardiness on parallel batch machines with incompatible job families and unequal ready times of the jobs. Given that the problem is NP-hard, we propose two different decomposition approaches. The first approach forms fixed batches, then assigns these batches to the machines using a genetic algorithm (GA), and finally sequences the batches on individual machines. The second approach first assigns jobs to machines using a GA, then forms batches on each machine for the jobs assigned to it, and finally sequences these batches. Dispatching and scheduling rules are used for the batching phase and the sequencing phase of the two approaches. In addition, as part of the second decomposition approach, we develop variations of a time window heuristic based on a decision theory approach for forming and sequencing the batches on a single machine.