Sequencing constant work-in progress (CONWIP) flow-shops: Analysis and heuristics

In this paper, we address the backlog sequencing problem in a flow-shop controlled by a CONWIP production control system, with the objective to minimize the makespan. We characterize the problem and analyse its similarities and differences with the unconstrained permutation flow-shop problem. A comparison of some well-known flow-shop heuristics is carried out, and a simple and fast dispatching rule is proposed. Regarding the more simple and faster heuristics, the proposed dispatching rule outperforms those commonly used for the unconstrained permutation flow-shop problem.