Two-stage assembly-type flowshop batch scheduling problem subject to a fixed job sequence

Abstract

This paper discusses a two-stage assembly-type flowshop scheduling problem with batching considerations subject to a fixed job sequence. The two-stage assembly flowshop consists of m stage-1 parallel dedicated machines and a stage-2 assembly machine which processes the jobs in batches. Four regular performance metrics, namely, the total completion time, maximum lateness, total tardiness, and number of tardy jobs, are considered. The goal is to obtain an optimal batching decision for the predetermined job sequence at stage 2. This study presents a two-phase algorithm, which is developed by coupling a problem-transformation procedure with a dynamic program. The running time of the proposed algorithm is O(mn + n(5)), where n is the number of jobs. Journal of the Operational Research Society (2012) 63, 839-845. doi:10.1057/jors.2011.90 Published online 21 September 2011