Value function approximation via linear programming for FMS scheduling.

In this paper, we develop a linear programming framework for computing a quadratic approximation to the value function, which constitutes the off-line computation of a hierarchical FMS scheduling approach previously developed by us. In contrast to previous work, where relatively crude value functions were used, we develop a quadratic approximation that is a prior fit. We consider the multiple part multiple machine discounted cost case and illustrate the approach via a simulation example in the context of an industrial setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]