  The article describes a special time-interval balancing in multi-processor
scheduling of composite modular jobs. This scheduling problem is close to
just-in-time planning approach. First, brief literature surveys are presented
on just-in-time scheduling and due-data/due-window scheduling problems.
Further, the problem and its formulation are proposed for the time-interval
balanced scheduling of composite modular jobs. The illustrative real world
planning example for modular home-building is described. Here, the main
objective function consists in a balance between production of the typical
building modules (details) and the assembly processes of the building(s) (by
several teams). The assembly plan has to be modified to satisfy the balance
requirements. The solving framework is based on the following: (i) clustering
of initial set of modular detail types to obtain about ten basic detail types
that correspond to main manufacturing conveyors; (ii) designing a preliminary
plan of assembly for buildings; (iii) detection of unbalanced time periods,
(iv) modification of the planning solution to improve the schedule balance. The
framework implements a metaheuristic based on local optimization approach. Two
other applications (supply chain management, information transmission systems)
are briefly described.
