A Multistage Metaheuristic Scheduling Algorithm in LCD Module Lines Composed of Processes

Abstract

This paper develops a multistage scheduling algorithm for the module operation of the LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) production systems and tests the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The module operation is a multistage form composed of multiple sub operations of processes, and each stage is consists of multiple lines with the same kinds of machines. This paper presents a mathematical modeling reflecting the constraints of the LCD module operation and develops a multistage scheduling algorithm based on tabu search metaheuristic approach. For this purpose, an production order is assigned to a line of the sub operations and a sequence of the assigned order is rearranged to draw an efficient schedule. Simulation experiments test performance measures and show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.