Title: Solving multi-objective flexible flow-shop scheduling problem using teaching-learning-based optimisation embedded with maximum deviation theory

Authors: Raviteja Buddala; Siba Sankar Mahapatra; Manas Ranjan Singh

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India ' Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Silicon Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar 751024, India

Abstract: Flexible flow-shop scheduling problem (FFSP) is an extended special case of basic flow-shop scheduling problem (FSP). FFSP is treated as complex NP-hard scheduling problem. A good scheduling practice enables the manufacturer to compete effectively in the marketplace. An efficient schedule should address multiple conflicting objectives so that customer satisfaction can be improved. In this work, a novel approach based on teaching-learning-based optimisation (TLBO) technique incorporated with maximum deviation theory (MDT) is applied to generate schedules that simultaneously optimise conflicting objective measures like makespan and flowtime. Results indicate that the proposed multi-objective TLBO (MOTLBO) outperforms non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) in majority of the problem instances.

Keywords: flexible flow-shop scheduling problem; FFSP; flowtime; makespan; maximum deviation theory; MDT; non-dominated solutions; multi-objective optimisation; teaching-learning-based optimisation; TLBO; flow-shop scheduling problem; FSP; multi-objective particle swarm optimisation; MOPSO.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2022.126020

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2022 Vol.42 No.1, pp.39 - 63

Received: 22 May 2020
Accepted: 07 Dec 2020
Published online: 07 Oct 2022 *

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