Lot streaming with attached setups in three-machine flow shops

Abstract

<p>Lot streaming is the process of splitting a job or lot to allow over­lapping between successive operations in a multistage production system. This use of transfer lots usually results in a shorter makespan for the corresponding schedule. In this paper, we study the structural properties of schedules which minimize the makespan for a single job with attached setup times in a flow shop. Although the structure of the optimal schedules is more complex than in the case with no se­ tups [7], using the structural insights obtained, it is possible to find the optimal solution with <em>s</em> sublots in <em>O</em>(<em>s</em>) time for the three-machine case.</p>