Heuristics for the integrated single machine scheduling and location problem

Abstract

In this paper, the simultaneous single machine scheduling and location (ScheLoc) problem is considered. More specifically, the ScheLoc problem is the problem of locating a single machine on the plant floor while scheduling jobs on the machine. Many of the methods presented in the literature for this problem are very powerful exact methods, requiring not only substantial knowledge of location theory but also knowledge of how to use these powerful, yet complex, exact methods. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to present simple mathematical models and heuristics for practitioners to easily solve real-world problems. Heuristics as well as mathematical programming models are presented for the ScheLoc problem. Randomly generated problems are solved using the proposed solution methods, and the results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.