Optimal scheduling for a multiproduct batch process with minimization of penalty on due date period

To make scheduling problems more realistic, we develop a new scheduling mod el with penalty functions for earliness and tardiness. Instead of a fixed d ue date, the scheduling problem is approached by taking the due date as a t ime period, which can handle flexible due dates and flexible customer requi rements with penalty parameter modifications. We solve this optimization pr oblem by the simulated annealing method and demonstrate its effectiveness w ith three examples.