Increasing the total net revenue for single machine order acceptance and scheduling problems using an artificial bee colony algorithm

The order acceptance and scheduling (OAS) problem is an important topic for make-to-order production systems with limited production capacity and tight delivery requirements. This paper proposes a new algorithm based on Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) for solving the single machine OAS problem with release dates and sequence-dependent setup times. The performance of the proposed ABC-based algorithm was validated by a benchmark problem set of test instances with up to 100 orders. Experimental results showed that the proposed ABC-based algorithm outperformed three state-of-art metaheuristic-based algorithms from the literature. It is believed that this study successfully demonstrates a high-performance algorithm that can serve as a new benchmark approach for future research on the OAS problem addressed in this study.

     

Collaborative production planning of supply chain under price and demand uncertainty

This research is motivated by an automobile manufacturing supply chain network. It involves a multi-echelon production system with material supply, component fabrication, manufacturing, and final product distribution activities. We address the production planning issue by considering bill of materials and the trade-offs between inventories, production costs and customer service level. Due to its complexity, an integrated solution framework which combines scatter evolutionary algorithm, fuzzy programming and stochastic chance-constrained programming are combined to jointly take up the issue. We conduct a computational study to evaluate the model. Numerical results using the proposed algorithm confirm the advantage of the integrated planning approach. Compared with other solution methodologies, the supply chain profits from the proposed approach consistently outperform, in some cases up to 13% better. The impacts of uncertainty in demand, material price, and other parameters on the performance of the supply chain are studied through sensitivity analysis. We found the proposed model is effective in developing robust production plans under various market conditions.     

基于仿真优化的炼钢生产批调度求解方法

论文针对钢铁企业炼钢工序具有高温、高能耗、复杂工况的实际特征,从中提炼出生产批调度问题,其工件根据其实际工艺属性可分为多个簇,基于给定的工件簇,决策工件的分批和调度情况,综合考虑工件之间的切换费用,以及工件提前、拖期所导致的惩罚,使得总的生产成本期望最小化,从而降低生产成本;针对该问题,考虑工件的处理时间、工件的加工属性具有不确定性,基于仿真优化思想,建立数学模型,并基于大数定理,对模型目标函数进行近似;提出基于样本近似方法的求解框架,通过随机抽样的方法获得不同规模的样本,针对不同规模的样本,提出Filter & Fan算法对问题进行求解;最后,通过基于实际数据的计算实验验证所提算法的有效性。     

基于改进模拟退火算法的推动式生产-配送协调优化

为减小物资生产与配送不协调造成的成本及生产资源浪费,建立了考虑推动式生产调度的物资配送优化模型,并针对标准模拟退火算法受随机因素影响易陷入局部最优的缺点,设计带有回火与缓冷操作的改进模拟退火算法对模型求解,确定了优化的车辆配送路线以及物资生产计划。对比实验结果表明：相对于单纯的物资配送优化模型,考虑推动式生产调度的配送优化模型,能够有效减小物资滞留时间以及配送延误成本;相较于标准模拟退火算法,改进算法搜索到了更优解,且计算结果的标准差减小了93.42%,稳定性更好;同时,改进模拟退火算法具有较低的偏差率,在中小规模算例中求解质量较高,平均偏差率在0.5%以内。     

Modeling fuzzy multi-period production planning and sourcing problem with credibility service levels

A great deal of research has been done on production planning and sourcing problems, most of which concern deterministic or stochastic demand and cost situations and single period systems. In this paper, we consider a new class of multi-period production planning and sourcing problem with credibility service levels, in which a manufacturer has a number of plants and subcontractors and has to meet the product demand according to the credibility service levels set by its customers. In the proposed problem, demands and costs are uncertain and assumed to be fuzzy variables with known possibility distributions. The objective of the problem is to minimize the total expected cost, including the expected value of the sum of the inventory holding and production cost in the planning horizon. Because the proposed problem is too complex to apply conventional optimization algorithms, we suggest an approximation approach (AA) to evaluate the objective function. After that, two algorithms are designed to solve the proposed production planning problem. The first is a PSO algorithm combining the AA, and the second is a hybrid PSO algorithm integrating the AA, neural network (NN) and PSO. Finally, one numerical example is provided to compare the effectiveness of the proposed two algorithms.     

A multi-objective production smoothing model with compressible operating times

Real life multi-product multi-period production planning often deals with several conflicting objectives while considering a set of technological constraints. The solutions of these problems can provide deeper insights to the decision makers/managers than those of single-objective problems. Some managers want to use from a production plan that is corresponding to minimum change in production policy along with minimum total cost simultaneously as possible. On the other hand, these two objectives have intrinsic conflicts such that producing in a fixed rate will cause huge costs than producing economically or according to JIT. So this paper presents a novel multi-objective model for the production smoothing problem on a single stage facility that some of the operating times could be determined in a time interval for. The model is to: (a) smooth the variations of production volume, and (b) minimize total cost of the corresponding production plan, while satisfying a set of technological constraints such as limited available time. The proposed model is developed in a real case study and is solved by a new genetic algorithm. The proposed genetic algorithm uses a novel achievement function for exploring the solution space, based on LP-metric concepts. Computational experiences reveal the sufficiency and efficiency of the proposed approach in contrast to previous researches.     

基于蝙蝠退火算法的无等待流水线调度问题研究

无等待流水线调度问题(no-wait flow shop scheduling problem,NWFSP)是一类比较重要的复杂生产调度问题,并已经被证明是典型的NP问题.蝙蝠算法(Bat algorithm,BA)是一种较新颖的群体智能算法.本文针对蝙蝠算法在求解无等待流水线调度问题上的不足,提出一种蝙蝠退火算法,它通过采用ROV的编码方式以实现离散问题的连续编码,同时为了避免算法早熟现象引入了模拟退火算法.算法采用基于NEH的局部搜索规则,在很大程度上提高了算法的性能.利用标准Car问题和Rec问题算例进行仿真实验,结果表明了改进算法的可行性和有效性.     

The performance evaluation of a multi-stage JIT production system with stochastic demand and production capacities

This paper discusses a single-item, multi-stage, serial Just-in-Time (JIT) production system with stochastic demand and production capacities. The JIT production system is modeled as a discrete-time, M/G/1-type Markov chain. A necessary and sufficient condition, or a stability condition, under which the system has a steady-state distribution is derived. A performance evaluation algorithm is then developed using the matrix analytic methods. In numerical examples, the optimal numbers of kanbans are determined by the proposed algorithm. The optimal numbers of kanbans are robust for the variations in production capacity distribution and demand distribution.     

Supply chain network design: partner selection and production/distribution planning using a systematic model

In this paper, a novel multi-phase mathematical approach is presented for the design of a complex supply chain network. From the point of network design, customer demands, and for maximum overall utility, the important issues are to find suitable and quality companies, and to decide upon an appropriate production/distribution strategy. The proposed approach is based on the genetic algorithm (GA), the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and the multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to satisfy simultaneously the preferences of the suppliers and the customers at each level in the network. A case study with a good quality solution is provided to confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Finally, to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach, a comparative numerical experiment is performed by using the proposed approach and the common single-phase genetic algorithm (SGA). Empirical analysis results demonstrate that the proposed approach can outperform the SGA in partner selection and production/distribution planning for network design.     

Part type selection problem in flexible manufacturing systems: tabu search algorithms

Production planning in flexible manufacturing systems is concerned with the organization of production in order to satisfy a given master production schedule. The planning problem typically gives rise to several hierarchical subproblems which are then solved sequentially or simultaneously. In this paper, we address one of the subproblems: the part type selection problem. The problem is to determine a subset of part types having production requirements for immediate and simultaneous processing over the upcoming period of the planning horizon, subject to the tool magazine and processing time limitation. Several versions of tabu search (TS) algorithm are proposed for solving the problem. A systematic computational test is conducted to test the performance of the TS algorithms. The best TS algorithm developed is compared to a simulated annealing algorithm.     

基于混沌量子算法和MAGTD的多目标FJSP求解策略

针对多目标环境下柔性作业车间的调度问题,以最小化最大完工时间和惩罚值为目标,建立调度问题的数学模型,提出了基于混沌理论的量子粒子群算法。针对实际生产交货期不确定的特点,在量子粒子群算法基础上,提出引入混沌机制建立初始群的方法;利用混沌机制的遍历性,提出混沌局部优化策略;为获取最优调度方案提出了引入多指标加权灰靶选择策略。通过典型基准算例和对比测试,验证了所提出的算法获得最满意调度方案的可行性和求解多目标柔性作业车间调度问题的有效性。     

Two-stage fuzzy production planning expected value model and its approximation method

This work develops a novel two-stage fuzzy optimization method for solving the multi-product multi-period (MPMP) production planning problem, in which the market demands and some of the inventory costs are assumed to be uncertainty and characterized by fuzzy variables with known possibility distributions. Some basic properties about the MPMP production planning problem are discussed. Since the fuzzy market demands and inventory costs usually have infinite supports, the proposed two-stage fuzzy MPMP production planning problem is an infinite-dimensional optimization problem that cannot be solved directly by conventional numerical solution methods. To overcome this difficulty, this paper adopts an approximation method (AM) to turn the original two-stage fuzzy MPMP production planning problem into a finite-dimensional optimization problem. The convergence about the AM is discussed to ensure the solution quality. After that, we design a heuristic algorithm, which combines the AM and simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, to solve the proposed two-stage fuzzy MPMP production planning problem. Finally, one real case study about a furniture manufacturing company is presented to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed modeling idea and designed algorithm.     

A genetic algorithm for hybrid flowshops with sequence dependent setup times and machine eligibility

After 50 years of research in the field of flowshop scheduling problems the scientific community still observes a noticeable gap between the theory and the practice of scheduling. In this paper we aim to provide a metaheuristic, in the form of a genetic algorithm, to a complex generalized flowshop scheduling problem that results from the addition of unrelated parallel machines at each stage, sequence dependent setup times and machine eligibility. Such a problem is common in the production of textiles and ceramic tiles. The proposed algorithm incorporates new characteristics and four new crossover operators. We show an extensive calibration of the different parameters and operators by means of experimental designs. To evaluate the proposed algorithm we present several adaptations of other well-known and recent metaheuristics to the problem and conduct several experiments with a set of 1320 random instances as well as with real data taken from companies of the ceramic tile manufacturing sector. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm is more effective than all other adaptations.     

A two-phase ant colony algorithm for multi-echelon defective supply chain network design

Supply chain system is an integrated production system of a product. In the past researches, this system was often assumed to be an equilibrium structure, but in real production process, some members in this system usually cannot effectively complete their production task because of the losses of production, which will reduce the performance of the whole supply chain production system. This supply chain with the losses of production is called the defective supply chain (DSC) system. This research will discuss the partner selection and the production–distribution planning in this DSC network system. Besides the cost of production and transportation, the reliability of the structure and the unbalance of this system caused by the losses of production are considered. Then a germane mathematical programming model is developed for solving this problem. Due to the complex problem and in order to get a satisfactory near-optimal solution with great speed, this research proposes seeking the solution with the solving model based on ant colony algorithm. The application results in real cases show that the solving model presented by this research can quickly and effectively plan the most suitable type of the DSC network and decision-making of the production–distribution. Finally, a comparative numerical experiment is performed by using the proposed approach and the common single-phase ant colony algorithm (SAC) to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach. The analysis results show that the proposed approach can outperform the SAC in partner selection and production–distribution planning for DSC network design.     

预制构件流水车间订单接受与调度的集成优化

针对预制构件生产管理过程中订单工期紧和生产能力不足的问题,在充分考虑中断和不可中断工序,串行和并行工序等复杂工况特点的基础上,以最大化净利润为目标,建立了一种订单接受与调度集成优化模型。鉴于问题的NP难性和模型的高度非线性,通过集成问题性质、构造启发式、邻域搜索和破坏-构造机制,提出了一种混合加速迭代贪婪搜索框架。其中,在调度构造阶段,为提高算法求解质量和搜索效率,设计了两种融合订单插入操作性质的加速构造策略。计算结果显示,与混合遗传禁忌搜索算法,遗传算法以及禁忌搜索算法相比,本文所提算法具有更好的求解质量和搜索效率。同时验证了所提出的加速构造策略能够有效减少算法运行时间。该研究有望显著提高预制生产企业净利润和客户满意度。     

An exact algorithm for the sequential ordering problem and its application to switching energy minimization in compilers

This article presents an exact algorithm for the precedence-constrained traveling salesman problem, which is also known as the sequential ordering problem. This NP-hard problem has applications in various domains, including operational research and compilers. In this article, the problem is presented and solved in the context of minimizing switching energy in compilers. Most previous work on minimizing switching energy in the compiler domain has been limited to simple heuristics that are not guaranteed to give an optimal solution. In this work, we present an exact algorithm for solving the switching energy minimization problem using a branch-and-bound approach. The proposed algorithm is simple and intuitive, yet powerful. It is the first exact algorithm for the switching energy problem that is shown to solve real instances of the problem within a few seconds per instance. Compared to previous work in the operational research domain, the proposed algorithm is believed to be the most powerful exact algorithm that does not require a linear programming formulation. The proposed algorithm is experimentally evaluated using instances taken from a production compiler. The results show that with a time limit of 10 ms per node, the proposed algorithm optimally solves 99.8 % of the instances. It optimally solves instances with up to 598 nodes within a few seconds. The resulting switching cost is 16 % less than that produced without energy awareness and 5 % less than that produced by a commonly used heuristic.     

A disruption recovery model for a single stage production-inventory system

This paper presents a newly developed disruption recovery model for a single stage production and inventory system, where the production is disrupted for a given period of time during the production up time. The model is categorized as a constrained non-linear optimization program which we have solved using an efficient heuristic developed in this paper. The model was also solved using an evolutionary algorithm and a comparison of the results from both methods was performed. The heuristic was able to accurately solve the model with significantly less time compared to the evolutionary algorithm. It can be shown that the optimal recovery schedule is dependent on the shortage cost parameters, as well as the extent of the disruption. The proposed model offers a potentially useful tool to help manufacturers decide on the optimal recovery plan in real time whenever the production system experiences a sudden disruption.     

A hybrid heuristic algorithm for the open-pit-mining operational planning problem

This paper deals with the Open-Pit-Mining Operational Planning problem with dynamic truck allocation. The objective is to optimize mineral extraction in the mines by minimizing the number of mining trucks used to meet production goals and quality requirements. According to the literature, this problem is NP-hard, so a heuristic strategy is justified. We present a hybrid algorithm that combines characteristics of two metaheuristics: Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedures and General Variable Neighborhood Search. The proposed algorithm was tested using a set of real-data problems and the results were validated by running the CPLEX optimizer with the same data. This solver used a mixed integer programming model also developed in this work. The computational experiments show that the proposed algorithm is very competitive, finding near optimal solutions (with a gap of less than 1%) in most instances, demanding short computing times.     

Integrated production planning and scheduling for a mixed batch job-shop based on alternant iterative genetic algorithm

An integrated optimization production planning and scheduling based on alternant iterative genetic algorithm is proposed here. The operation constraints to ensure batch production successively are determined in the first place. Then an integrated production planning and scheduling model is formulated based on non-linear mixed integer programming. An alternant iterative method by hybrid genetic algorithm (AIHGA) is employed to solve it, which operates by the following steps: a plan is given to find a schedule by hybrid genetic algorithm; in turn, a schedule is given to find a new plan using another hybrid genetic algorithm. Two hybrid genetic algorithms are alternately run to optimize the plan and schedule simultaneously. Finally a comparison is made between AIHGA and a monolithic optimization method based on hybrid genetic algorithm (MOHGA). Computational results show that AIHGA is of higher convergence speed and better performance than MOHGA. And the objective values of the former are an average of 12.2% less than those of the latter in the same running time.     

基于人机交互—蚁群算法的港口疏船调度优化

为解决因港口无法正常作业导致大量船舶压港后的疏船调度问题,从同时兼顾船公司和港口方利益出发,建立了船舶平均在港时间最短、额外作业成本最低、生产秩序恢复最快的调度生产多目标优化模型。利用多属性效用理论将多目标转换为单目标,并构建了相应的评价函数,采用改进的蚁群算法并结合人机交互以及邻域搜索方法求解,最后以大连港集装箱码头实际案例进行验证。结果表明,与通常调度方法相比,文中建立的优化模型能够更好地解决疏船问题;对比常规的蚁群算法,改进后的算法搜索效率更高。上述模型和算法为集装箱码头的生产组织调度提供了新的优化思路和方法。