This paper focuses upon the maximization of labor productivity through selection of the optimal number, duration, and placement of rest breaks. It is demonstrated that resolution of the limited validity associated with previous models leads to a mixed-integer quadratic programming formulation of...

This paper gives optimality conditions to obtain a priori precedence relationships among some of the jobs in a single machine scheduling problem so as to curtail the enumeration while using branch-and-bound technique. The objective is to minimize a quadratic (or generalized quadratic) penalty...

In the scheduling situation considered here, we are given a set of routes, each associated with a particular school. A single bus is assigned to each route, picking up the students and arriving at their school within a specified time window. The scheduling problem is to find the fewest buses...

A timetabling problem is formulated as a large integer linear programming problem in 0-1 variables. A solution method based on Lagrangean relaxation coupled with subgradient optimization is presented. The solution method also incorporates a branch and bound procedure which takes advantage of...

A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is an integrated, computer-controlled complex of automated material handling devices and numerically controlled machine tools that can simultaneously process medium-sized volumes of a variety of part types. FMSs are becoming an attractive substitute for the...

Two major contributions are made to the problem of resource allocation to indivisible projects with uncertain outcomes: the concepts of preferential independence and utility independence for the space of discrete projects are defined, and a multiattribute utility theory is linked with...

A new method for solving the corrugator trim problem is presented. This problem draws its name from the difficult task facing scheduling personnel in corrugator box plants each day: to determine the least-cost method of combining customer orders on the corrugator, where one of the major costs to...

An important, recurring problem in statistics involves the determination of strata boundaries for use in stratified sampling. This paper describes a practical method for stratifying a population of observations based on optimal cluster analysis. The goal of stratification is constructing a...

This paper introduces a line of research on capacity-constrained multi-stage production scheduling problems. The first section introduces the problem area as it arises from a failure of MRP systems. Then a review of the literature and an analysis of the type of problems that exist are presented...

The conventional approach to the assembly line balancing problem assumes that the manufacturing methods to be used have been predetermined. However, in practice the design engineer has several alternatives available in the choice of processing, typically involving a trade-off between labor or...