Review on Hybrid Flow Shop Scheduling Problems.

Hybrid flow shop scheduling problems (HFSP), one of popular research topics in the field of shop scheduling, several alternative parallel machines in all or part of stages of the flow-shop were introduced, and production capacity and flexibility of the shop were improved. Hybrid flow-shop scheduling methods were reviewed according to the number of stages and machine characteristics herein. Related extension problems in background of practical engineering were systematically summarized, and the existing problems and possible solutions were pointed out. Combined with development trend of operations research, application prospect of HFSP in emerging fields was discussed. Finally, some possible research directions in future were pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]