Domain filtering is a powerful technique for reduction of the search space during solving combinatorial problems like scheduling. In this paper we present several filtering algorithms designed specifically for scheduling in batch processing environments with sequence dependent setup times. We extend two known algorithms, namely edge finding and not-first/not-last technique, and we present a new...

much investigation has been given to this issue, the role of setup savings from the perspective of the workload control concept has hardly received attention. This paper reports a simulation study on this matter. The study evaluates the potential for savings in setups, dependent on the level of workload in the shop, for two alternative strategies, namely considering setup times centrally, withi...

A constraint propagation (filtering) turned out to be an efficient method how to reduce search space for backtrack-based algorithms. This paper brings several improvements of filtering methods for batch processing with sequence dependent setup times. The first one is domain filtering based on a precedence graph—such filtering can be useful even when no precedences are given at the start. I desc...

In this paper, a scheduling problem is considered which arises in the packaging industry. Plastic and foil wrappers used for packaging candy bars, crisps and other snacks typically require overlay printing with multiple colours. Printing machines used for this purpose usually accommodate a small number of colours which are loaded into a magazine simultaneously. If two consecutively scheduled pr...

this paper presents a new mathematical model for the problem of scheduling part families and jobs within each part family in a flow line manufacturing cell where the setup times for each family are sequence dependent and it is desired to minimize the maximum completion time of the last job on the last machine (makespan) while processing parts (jobs) in each family together. gaining an optimal s...

  The problem of lot sizing, sequencing and scheduling multiple products in flow line production systems has been studied by several authors. Almost all of the researches in this area assumed that setup times and costs are sequence –independent even though sequence dependent setups are common in practice. In this paper we present a new mixed integer non linear program (MINLP) and a heuristic me...