A Makespan Minimization in an m-Stage Flow Shop Lot Streaming with Sequence Dependent Setup Times: MILP Model and Experimental Approach

Abstract

This paper considers the recent growing interest the scientific community has put over the use of Lot Streaming technics (LS) or lot splitting. Implications are highlighted, from the scheduling point of view. It is presented this consideration and a MILP mathematical model to minimize makespan in an n-job flow shop problem with sequence dependent setup times (SDST). At the same time, the model is resolved, for the two- and three-machine flow shop, with the purpose of analyzing, through a design of experiments, which is the achieved makespan reduction and computation time increment regarding to no LS consideration used. Finally, it will be reflected about the use of non-optimum technics relating makespan values and expected calculation time.