JFET_V2_N1_A2 K. Raja C. Arumugam V. Selladurai K.M. Senthil Kumar Journal on Future Engineering and Technology 2230 – 7184 2 1 14 19 Simulated annealing, makespan, optimization, non-identical parallel machine scheduling A generalized model for analyzing any manufacturing system is essential to improve its performance measures. Non - traditional optimization technique such as Simulated Annealing technique provides a complete solution methodology for solving the shop floor scheduling problems. The problem considered in this study consists of non-identical machines employed in parallel. Jobs ranging from 10 to 100 are to be processed on any one of the five non identical parallel machines. The objective is to reduce the completion time of the jobs. Simulated annealing methodology has been adopted to reach the optimal sequence. It has been found that the suggested optimization procedure arrives at the optimal solution at a reasonable time and is also found to outperform the existing heuristics. August-October 2006 Copyright © 2006 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=958