A Tabu Search and Hybrid Evolutionary Strategies Algorithms for the Integrated Process Planning and Scheduling with Due-date Agreement

Abstract

There are three important functions of manufacturing which are process planning, scheduling and due date assignment. Instead of executing these functions separately, combining them together helps making more realistic and applicable plans. In this problem context random search, semi-tabu, random/semi-tabu hybrid, evolutionary strategies, and random/evolutionary strategies hybrid methods are utilized in solution. Different sized job shops are studied for performance tracking. As a result of study differences between individual solutions and integrated solutions was revealed. It is found that integrating these functions are advantageous in terms of total performance measure, and thus customer satisfaction. Random search is better than ordinary solutions. On the other hand, semi-tabu, evolutionary strategies and their hybrids are outperformed random search. Hybrid search methods are found promising.