Scheduling jobs with release dates on parallel batch processing machines to minimize the makespan

Batch processing happens in many different industries, in which a number of jobs are processed simultaneously as a batch. In this paper we develop two heuristics for the problem of scheduling jobs with release dates on parallel batch processing machines to minimize the makespan and analyze their worst-case performance ratios. We also present a polynomial-time optimal algorithm for a special case of the problem where the jobs have equal processing times.     

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.     

An iterative approach for the serial batching problem with parallel machines and job families

In this paper, we consider a parallel machine scheduling problem to minimize the total completion time. Each job belongs to a certain family. All jobs of one family have identical processing times. Major setups occur between jobs of different families, and we include sequence dependencies. Batches of jobs belonging to the same family can be formed to avoid these setups. Furthermore, we assume serial batching and batch availability. Therefore, the processing time of a batch is the sum of the processing times of all jobs grouped into the corresponding batch. An iterative method is developed for solving this specific problem. This approach alternates between varying batch sizes using an efficient heuristic and sequencing batches based on variable neighborhood search (VNS). Computational results demonstrate that the iterative heuristic outperforms heuristics based on a fixed batch size and list scheduling.     

Two-Machine Flowshop Batching and Scheduling

We consider in this paper a two-machine flowshop scheduling problem in which the first machine processes jobs individually while the second machine processes jobs in batches. The forming of each batch on the second machine incurs a constant setup time. The objective is to minimize the makespan. This problem was previously shown to be NP-hard in the ordinary sense. In this paper, we first present a strong NP-hardness result of the problem. We also identify a polynomially solvable case with either anticipatory or non-anticipatory setups. We then establish a property that an optimal solution for the special case is a lower bound for the general problem. To obtain near-optimal solutions for the general problem, we devise some heuristics. The lower bound is used to evaluate the quality of the heuristic solutions. Results of computational experiments reveal that the heuristics produce solutions with small error ratios. They also suggest that the lower bound is close to the optimal solution.     

Minimizing number of tardy jobs on a batch processing machine with incompatible job families

In this paper we consider the problem of minimizing number of tardy jobs on a single batch processing machine. The batch processing machine is capable of processing up to B jobs simultaneously as a batch. We are given a set of n jobs which can be partitioned into m incompatible families such that the processing times of all jobs belonging to the same family are equal and jobs of different families cannot be processed together. We show that this problem is NP-hard and present a dynamic programming algorithm which has polynomial time complexity when the number of job families and the batch machine capacity are fixed. We also show that when the jobs of a family have a common due date the problem can be solved by a pseudo-polynomial time procedure.     

Scheduling on a Batch Processing Machine with Split Compatibility Graphs

We consider the problem of minimizing the makespan on a batch processing machine, in which jobs are not all compatible. Only compatible jobs can be included into the same batch. This relation of compatibility is represented by a split graph. All jobs are available at the same date. The capacity of the batch processing machine is finite or infinite. The processing time of a batch is given by the processing time of the longest job in the batch. We establish the NP-hardness of the general problem and present polynomial algorithms for several special cases.     

Scheduling with batch setup times and earliness-tardiness penalties

We consider a scheduling model in which several batches of jobs need to be processed by a single machine. During processing, a setup time is incurred whenever there is a switch from processing a job in one batch to a job in another batch. All the jobs in the same batch have a common due date that is either externally given as an input data or internally determined as a decision variable. Two problems are investigated. One problem is to minimize the total earliness and tardiness penalties provided that each due date is externally given. We show that this problem is NP-hard even when there are only two batches of jobs and the two due dates are unrestrictively large. The other problem is to minimize the total earliness and tardiness penalties plus the total due date penalty provided that each due date is a decision variable. We give some optimality properties for this problem with the general case and propose a polynomial dynamic programming algorithm for solving this problem with two batches of jobs. We also consider a special case for both of the problems when the common due dates for different batches are all equal. Under this special case, we give a dynamic programming algorithm for solving the first problem with an unrestrictively large due date and for solving the second problem. This algorithm has a running time polynomial in the number of jobs but exponential in the number of batches.     

Scheduling a single machine with multiple job processing ability to minimize makespan

This paper investigates a new problem, called single machine scheduling with multiple job processing ability, which is derived from the production of the continuous walking beaming reheating furnace in iron and steel industry. In this problem, there is no batch and the jobs enter and leave the machine one by one and continuously, which is different from general single machine batch scheduling problem where the jobs in a batch share the same start and departure time. Therefore, the start time and the departure time of a job depend on not only the job sequence but also the machine capacity. This problem is also different from the single semi-continuous batching machine scheduling recently studied in the literature, where the jobs are processed in batch mode and a new batch cannot be started for processing until the processing of the previous batch is completed though jobs in the same batch enter and leave the machine one by one. The objective of this problem is to minimize the makespan. We formulate this problem as a mixed integer linear programming model and propose a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for this problem. Computational results on randomly generated instances show that the proposed PSO algorithm is effective.     

Mixed integer formulation to minimize makespan in a flow shop with batch processing machines

Batch processing machines are commonly used in wafer fabrication, kilns, and chambers used for environmental stress screening (ESS). This paper proposes two models to schedule batches of jobs on two machines in a flow shop. A set of jobs with known processing times and sizes has to be grouped, to form batches, in order to be processed on the batch processing machines. The jobs are nonidentical in size. The processing time of a batch is the longest processing time of all the jobs in that batch. Mixed integer formulations are proposed for the flow shop problem when the buffer capacity is unlimited or zero. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the application of our model.     

Parallel machine scheduling problems with a single server

In this paper, we consider the problem of scheduling jobs on parallel machines with setup times. The setup has to be performed by a single server. The objective is to minimize the schedule length (makespan), as well as the forced idle time. The makespan problem is known to be NP-hard even for the case of two identical parallel machines. This paper presents a pseudopolynomial algorithm for the case of two machines when all setup times are equal to one. We also show that the more general problem with an arbitrary number of machines is unary NP-hard and analyze some list scheduling heuristics for this problem. The problem of minimizing the forced idle time is known to be unary NP-hard for the case of two machines and arbitrary setup and processing times. We prove unary NP-hardness of this problem even for the case of constant setup times. Moreover, some polynomially solvable cases are given.     

极小化总完工时间的同时加工排序

讨论了并行工件同时加工排序问题,即n个同时到达的工件在m台批处理机上排序的问题.批处理机一次最多能加工B个工件.每批的加工时间等于该批中所含工件的加工时间的最大者.主要考虑B n的特殊情况,即每批可包含任意多个工件,目标函数是极小化总完工时间.首先对同型批处理机的情况给出了动态规划算法,算法的运行时间为O(m nm+1),并进一步将结论推广到同类批处理机的情况.     

Dynamic Scheduling on a Single Batch Processing Machine with Split Compatibility Graphs

We consider the problem of minimizing the makespan on a batch processing machine, in which jobs are not all compatible. Only compatible jobs can be included into the same batch. This relation of compatibility is represented by a split graph. Jobs have release dates. The capacity of the batch processing machine is finite or infinite. The processing time of a batch is given by the processing time of the longest job in the batch. We establish the NP-hardness of the general problem and present polynomial algorithms for several special cases. Relating scheduling theory and graph theory appears to be an interesting and important concept.     

ON-LINE PROBLEMS OF MINIMIZING MAKESPAN ON A SINGLE BATCH PROCESSING MACHINE WITH NONIDENTICAL JOB SIZES

The on-line problem of scheduling on a batch processing machine with nonidentical job sizes to minimize makespan is considered. The batch processing machine can process a number of jobs simultaneously as long as the total size of these jobs being processed does not exceed the machine capacity. The processing time of a batch is given by the longest processing time of any job in the batch. Each job becomes available at its arrival time, which is unknown in advance, and its processing time becomes known upon its arrival. The paper deals with two variants： the case only with two distinct arrival times and the general case. For the first case, an on-line algorithm with competitive ratio 119/44 is given. For the latter one, a simple algorithm with competitive ratio 3 is given. For both variants the better ratios can be obtained if the problem satisfies proportional assumption.     

Optimal methods for batch processing problem with makespan and maximum lateness objectives

In this paper we consider the problem of scheduling n jobs on a single batch processing machine in which jobs are ordered by two customers. Jobs belonging to different customers are processed based on their individual criteria. The considered criteria are minimizing makespan and maximum lateness. A batching machine is able to process up to b jobs simultaneously. The processing time of each batch is equal to the longest processing time of jobs in the batch. This kind of batch processing is called parallel batch processing. Optimal methods for three cases are developed: unbounded batch capacity, b > n, with compatible job groups and bounded batch capacity, b  n, with compatible and non compatible job groups. Each job group represents a different class of customers and the concept of being compatible means that jobs which are ordered by different customers are allowed to be processed in a same batch. We propose an optimal method for the problem with incompatible groups and unbounded batches. About the case when groups are incompatible and bounded batches, our proposed method is considered as optimal when the group with maximum lateness objective has identical processing times. We regard this method, however, as a heuristic when these processing times are different. When groups are compatible and batches are bounded we consider another problem by assuming the same processing times for the group which has the maximum lateness objective and propose an optimal method for this problem.     

工件具有任意尺寸的混合分批平行机排序问题的近似算法

本文考虑了工件具有任意尺寸且机器有容量限制的混合分批平行机排序问题。在该问题中, 一个待加工的工件集需在多台平行批处理机上进行加工。每个工件有它的加工时间和尺寸, 每台机器可以同时处理多个工件, 称为一个批, 只要这些工件尺寸之和不超过其容量; 一个批的加工时间等于该批中工件的最大加工时间和总加工时间的加权和; 目标函数是极小化最大完工时间。该问题包含一维装箱问题为其特殊情形, 为强NP-困难的。对此给出了一个$\left( {2 + 2\alpha+\alpha^{2}}\right)$-近似算法, 其中$\alpha$为给定的权重参数, 满足$0\leq\alpha\leq 1$。     

订单带多工类工件时的极小迟后范围问题

本文考虑下述由多工类工件组成的订单的单机排序问题：每一个客户提供一个由若干工件组成的订单,总共n个工件又分成k个类．当机器从加工某类中的工件转向加工不同于它的第i类工件时,需一调整时间si．每一订单有一给定的应交工时间,订单的完工时间定义为该定单所含全部工件完工时的时间．我们希望适当排列这n个工件,使得订单的迟后范围最小．相应这一排序问题,文中依不同的背景给出了以下二种模式：同类工件一起连续加工,工件的完工时间为其所属类中全部工件完工时的时间,用GT,Ba来表示；同类工件一起连续加工,工件的完工时间为其本身的完工时间,用GT,Ja来表示．对于这两种模式的排序同题,我们均证明了其NP-hard性并给出了对应的分枝定界算法．     

单位工件的平行机并行分批在线排序问题的算法

本文研究一类批容量有界的并行分批、平行机在线排序问题。模型中有n个相互独立的工件J={J₁,…,J_n}要在m台批处理机上加工。批处理机每次可同时加工至多B(Bj(1≤j≤n)的到达时间为r_j,加工时间为1,工件是否会到达事先未知,而只有等到工件的到达时间才能获知它的到达。目标为最小化工件的最大完工时间。针对该排序问题,本文设计了两个竞争比均达到最好可能的在线算法。     

同时加工排序问题的分支定界法和启发式算法

同时加工机器或者称为批加工机器是可以同时加工多个工件的机器．本文研究使带权总完工时间为最小的同时加工排序问题1|B|∑wjGj.这个问题的计算复杂性还没有解决．我们给出这个问题的精确解法——分支定界法和几个启发式算法，并且用较多实例对启发式算法的性能进行了比较．     

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.