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On the part inventory model sequencing problem: complexity and Beam Search heuristic

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Abstract

In many industries mixed-model assembly systems are increasingly supplied out of third-party consignment stock. This novel trend gives rise to a new short-term sequencing problem which decides on the succession of models launched down the line and aims at minimizing the cost of in-process inventory held by the manufacturer. In this work, we investigate the mathematical structure of this part oriented mixed-model sequencing problem and prove that general instances of the problem are NP-hard in the strong sense. Moreover, we develop a new Beam Search heuristic, which clearly outperforms existing solution procedures.

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Correspondence to Nils Boysen.

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Fliedner, M., Boysen, N. & Scholl, A. On the part inventory model sequencing problem: complexity and Beam Search heuristic. J Sched 14, 17–25 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10951-010-0214-9

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