Single machine multi-product batch scheduling: Testing several solution methods

The multi-product batch scheduling problem for production of several products on a single machine or processing facility has been discussed in the literature over many years. The problem is to determine the batch sizes and production sequence of the products that would minimize the total costs per day for the production cycle. Many heuristic approaches have been suggested in the literature and some of the prominent methods are cited in the list of references. Several research workers have attempted to compare the quality of the solutions derived by applying certain methods to a known test problem in order to make inferences about their relative effectiveness.