Resolution of the two-part cyclic hoist scheduling problem with bounded processing times in complex lines' configuration

The performance of an enterprise largely depends on the schedule of its resources. A good schedule may increase the output rate and reduce the production costs. Therefore, in this paper, we consider the cyclic schedule of hoist activities in automated electroplating lines which is commonly known as cyclic hoist scheduling problem (CHSP). The CHSPs appear in the manufacturing facilities to achieve a mass production and to search a repetitive sequence of moves for the hoist. In such kind of lines, hoist is used for moving electroplates through a line of tanks containing chemical baths. In this paper, we first study the impact of non-fixed processing time in cycle duration and then we extend our elaborated two-degree cyclic model to a more complex configuration of the production lines. [Received 26 June 2010; Revised 14 November 2010; Accepted 15 February 2011]