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 this paper, we describe an integer programming algorithm for assigning tasks on an assembly line to work stations in such a way that the number of work stations is minimal for the rate of production desired. The procedure insures that no task is assigned to a work station before all tasks...

Given n items, each having a weight w_i, and a container of capacity W, the Subset-Sum Problem (SSP) is to select a subset of the items whose total weight is closest to, without exceeding, W. The paper presents a mixed approach (depth first search-dynamic programming) to the exact solution of the...

A recurring problem in managing project activity involves the allocation of scarce resources to the individual activities comprising the project Resource conflict resolution decisions must be made whenever the concurrent demand for resources by the competing activities of a project exceeds...

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...

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...

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...

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...