Scheduling with controllable release dates and processing times: Makespan minimization

The paper deals with the single-machine scheduling problem in which job processing times as well as release dates are controllable parameters and they may vary within given intervals. While all release dates have the same boundary values, the processing time intervals are arbitrary. It is assumed that the cost of compressing processing times and release dates from their initial values is a linear function of the compression amount. The objective is to minimize the makespan together with the total compression cost. We construct a reduction to the assignment problem for the case of equal release date compression costs and develop an O(n²) algorithm for the case of equal release date compression costs and equal processing time compression costs. For the bicriteria version of the latter problem with agreeable processing times, we suggest an O(n²) algorithm that constructs the breakpoints of the efficient frontier.     

Single-machine scheduling problems with time and position dependent processing times

We consider single-machine scheduling problems with time and position dependent job processing times. In many industrial settings, the processing time of a job changes due to either job deterioration over time or machine/worker’s learning through experiences. In the models we study, each job has its normal processing time. However, a job’s actual processing time depends on when its processing starts and how many jobs have completed before its start. We prove that the classical SPT (Shortest Processing Time) rule remains optimal when we minimize the makespan or the total completion time. For problems of minimizing the total weighted completion time, the maximum lateness, and the discounted total weighted completion time, we present heuristic sequencing rules and analyze the worst-case bounds for performance ratios. We also show that these heuristic rules can be optimal under some agreeable conditions between the normal processing times and job due dates or weights.     

On unit time open shops with additional restrictions

We consider open shop problems with unit processing times,n jobs have to be processed onm machines. The order in which a given job is processed on the machines is not fixed. For each job a release time or a due date may be given. Additional, we consider the restriction that every machine must perform all corresponding operations without any delay time. Unit time open shop problems with release times to minimize total completion time were unsolved up to now for both allowed and forbidden delay times. We will solve these problems in the case of two and three machines. Furthermore we will give polynomial algorithms for several no-delay-problems with due dates.     

单机主次指标排序问题1|(rj, dj) agreeable, pj = p, pmtn|∑Uj|Tmax

本文研究了单机主次指标排序问题1|rj,pmtn|∑Uj|Tmax．在同工期且准备时间和工期具有一致性的情形下，给出了该问题的允许中断抢先的多项式时间算法．     

一个非常规目标函数的单机随机调度的最优策略

本文考虑了n个工件在同一台机器上加工的调度问题 ,其中工件的加工时间和交货期都是具有任意分布的随机变量 .我们考虑了一个非常规目标函数 ,其中工件的权数与平均加工时间成比例 .在工件的交货期与加工时间满足相容条件下 ,得到了个简单的最优排序策略 .     

求带释放时间的半导体煅烧排序的最短交付时间的一个高效PTAS

本文研究一个目标是最小化最大交付时间的能分批处理的非中断单机排序问题．这个问题来源于半导体制造过程中对芯片煅烧工序的排序．煅烧炉可以看成一个能同时最多加工B（〈n）个工件的处理机．此外，每个工件有一个可以允许其加工的释放时间和一个完成加工后的额外交付时间．该问题就是将工件分批后再依批次的排序加工，使得所有工件都交付后所需的时间最短．我们设计了一个用时O（f（l／ε）n^5/2）的多项式时间近似方案，其中关于1／ε的指数函数厂（1／ε）对固定的ε是个常数.     

On-line scheduling on a batch processing machine with unbounded batch size to minimize the makespan

We present on-line algorithms to minimize the makespan on a single batch processing machine. We consider a parallel batching machine that can process up to b jobs simultaneously. Jobs in the same batch complete at the same time. Such a model of a batch processing machine has been motivated by burn-in ovens in final testing stage of semiconductor manufacturing. We deal with the on-line scheduling problem when jobs arrive over time. We consider a set of independent jobs. Their number is not known in advance. Each job is available at its release date and its processing requirement is not known in advance. This general problem with infinite machine capacity is noted 1∣p − batch, r_j, b = ∞∣C_max. Deterministic algorithms that do not insert idle-times in the schedule cannot be better than 2-competitive and a simple rule based on LPT achieved this bound [Z. Liu, W. Yu, Scheduling one batch processor subject to job release dates, Discrete Applied Mathematics 105 (2000) 129–136]. If we are allowed to postpone start of jobs, the performance guarantee can be improved to 1.618. We provide a simpler proof of this best known lower bound for bounded and unbounded batch sizes. We then present deterministic algorithms that are best possible for the problem with unbounded batch size (i.e., b = ∞) and agreeable processing times (i.e., there cannot exist an on-line algorithm with a better performance guarantee). We then propose another algorithm that leads to a best possible algorithm for the general problem with unbounded batch size. This algorithm improves the best known on-line algorithm (i.e. [G. Zhang, X. Cai, C.K. Wong, On-line algorithms for minimizing makespan on batch processing machines, Naval Research Logistics 48 (2001) 241–258]) in the sense that it produces a shortest makespan while ensuring the same worst-case performance guarantee.     

Scheduling problems with position dependent job processing times: computational complexity results

In this paper, we analyse single machine scheduling problems with learning and aging effects to minimize one of the following objectives: the makespan with release dates, the maximum lateness and the number of late jobs. The phenomena of learning and aging are modeled by job processing times described by non-increasing (learning) or non-decreasing (aging) functions dependent on the number of previously processed jobs, i.e., a job position in a sequence. We prove that the considered problems are strongly NP-hard even if job processing times are described by simple linear functions dependent on a number of processed jobs. Additionally, we show a property of equivalence between problems with learning and aging models. We also prove that if the function describing decrease/increase of a job processing time is the same for each job then the problems with the considered objectives are polynomially solvable even if the function is arbitrary. Therefore, we determine the boundary between polynomially solvable and strongly NP-hard cases.     

Single-machine scheduling with deteriorating functions for job processing times

In many realistic scheduling settings a job processed later consumes more time than when it is processed earlier – this phenomenon is known as scheduling with deteriorating jobs. In the literature on deteriorating job scheduling problems, majority of the research assumed that the actual job processing time of a job is a function of its starting time. In this paper we consider a new deterioration model where the actual job processing time of a job is a function of the processing times of the jobs already processed. We show that the single-machine scheduling problems to minimize the makespan and total completion time remain polynomially solvable under the proposed model. In addition, we prove that the problems to minimize the total weighted completion time, maximum lateness, and maximum tardiness are polynomially solvable under certain agreeable conditions.     

Single machine scheduling with controllable release and processing parameters

This paper considers single machine scheduling problems in which the job processing times and/or their release dates are controllable. Possible changes to the controllable parameters are either individual or done by controlling the relevant processing or release rate. The objective is to minimize the sum of the makespan plus the cost for changing the parameters. For the problems of this type, we provide a number of polynomial-time algorithms and give a fairly complete complexity classification.     

Scheduling with controllable release dates and processing times: Total completion time minimization

The single machine scheduling problem with two types of controllable parameters, job processing times and release dates, is studied. It is assumed that the cost of compressing processing times and release dates from their initial values is a linear function of the compression amounts. The objective is to minimize the sum of the total completion time of the jobs and the total compression cost. For the problem with equal release date compression costs we construct a reduction to the assignment problem. We demonstrate that if in addition the jobs have equal processing time compression costs, then it can be solved in O(n²) time. The solution algorithm can be considered as a generalization of the algorithm that minimizes the makespan and total compression cost. The generalized version of the algorithm is also applicable to the problem with parallel machines and to a range of due-date scheduling problems with controllable processing times.     

Single machine scheduling with release times,deadlines and tardiness objectives

A polynomial time algorithm is developed to minimize maximum tardiness on a single machine in the presence of deadlines. The possibility of extending the total tardiness pseudopolynomial algorithm to the cases where release times or deadlines are in place is also investigated. It is concluded that the aforementioned pseudopolynomial algorithm can be extended only when deadlines and due dates are compatible and all job release times are equal.     

Single machine scheduling problem with controllable processing times and resource dependent release times

We consider two single machine scheduling problems with resource dependent release times and processing times, in which the release times and processing times are linearly decreasing functions of the amount of resources consumed. The objective is to minimize the total cost of makespan and resource consumption function that is composed of release time reduction and processing time reduction. In the first problem, the cost of reducing a unit release time for each job is common. We show that the problem can be solved in polynomial time. The second problem assumes different reduction costs of job release times. We show that the problem can be reduced polynomially from the partition problem and thus, is NP-complete.     

Minimizing the weighted number of late jobs in UET open shops

We consider a two-machine open shop problem where the jobs have release dates and due dates, and where all single operations have unit processing times. The goal is to minimize the weighted number of late jobs. We derive a polynomial time algorithm for this problem, thereby answering an open question posed in a recent paper by Brucker et al.This research was supported by the Christian Doppler Laboratorium für Diskrete Optimierung.     

带有退化效应和序列相关运输时间的排序问题

考虑带有退化效应和序列相关运输时间的单机排序问题. 工件的加工时间是其开工时间的简单线性增加函数. 当机器单个加工工件时, 极小化最大完工时间、(加权)总完工时间和总延迟问题被证明是多项式可解的, EDD序对于极小化最大延迟问题不是最优排序, 另外, 就交货期和退化率一致情形给出了一最优算法. 当机器可分批加工工件时, 分别就极小化最大完工时间和加权总完工时间问题提出了多项式时间最优算法.     

Two-parallel machines scheduling with rate-modifying activities to minimize total completion time

This paper considers the two-parallel machines scheduling problem with rate-modifying activities. In this model, each machine has a rate-modifying activity that can change the processing rate of machine under consideration. Hence the actual processing times of jobs vary depending on whether the job is scheduled before or after the rate-modifying activity. We need to make a decision on when to schedule the rate-modifying activities and the sequence of jobs to minimize some objective function. We provide polynomial and pseudo-polynomial time algorithms to solve the total completion time minimization problem and total weighted completion time minimization problem under agreeable ratio condition.     

A branch and bound based heuristic for makespan minimization of washing operations in hospital sterilization services

In this paper, we address the problem of parallel batching of jobs on identical machines to minimize makespan. The problem is motivated from the washing step of hospital sterilization services where jobs have different sizes, different release dates and equal processing times. Machines can process more than one job at the same time as long as the total size of jobs in a batch does not exceed the machine capacity. We present a branch and bound based heuristic method and compare it to a linear model and two other heuristics from the literature. Computational experiments show that our method can find high quality solutions within short computation time.     

Single-Machine Scheduling with Exponential Processing Times and General Stochastic Cost Functions

We study a single-machine stochastic scheduling problem with n jobs, in which each job has a random processing time and a general stochastic cost function which may include a random due date and weight. The processing times are exponentially distributed, whereas the stochastic cost functions and the due dates may follow any distributions. The objective is to minimize the expected sum of the cost functions. We prove that a sequence in an order based on the product of the rate of processing time with the expected cost function is optimal, and under certain conditions, a sequence with the weighted shortest expected processing time first (WSEPT) structure is optimal. We show that this generalizes previous known results to more general situations. Examples of applications to practical problems are also discussed.This work was partially supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong under Earmarked Grants No. CUHK4418/99E and No. PolyU 5081/00E.     

Single Machine Earliness-Tardiness Scheduling Problems Using the Equal—Slack Rule

The purpose of this paper is to analyse a special case of the non-pre-emptive single machine scheduling problem where the distinct due dates for each job are related to processing times according to the Equal–Slack rule. The scheduling objective is to minimize the sum of earliness and tardiness penalties. After determining some properties of the problem, the unrestricted case is shown to be equivalent to a polynomial time solvable problem, whereas the restricted case is shown to be NP-hard, and suggestions are made for further research.     

Two machine preemptive scheduling problem with release dates,equal processing times and precedence constraints

We consider a scheduling problem with two identical parallel machines and n jobs. For each job we are given its release date when job becomes available for processing. All jobs have equal processing times. Preemptions are allowed. There are precedence constraints between jobs which are given by a (di)graph consisting of a set of outtrees and a number of isolated vertices. The objective is to find a schedule minimizing mean flow time. We suggest an O(n²) algorithm to solve this problem.The suggested algorithm also can be used to solve the related two-machine open shop problem with integer release dates, unit processing times and analogous precedence constraints.