Abstract:
A production line consisting of a number of serially arranged machines separated by storage points is considered. Each workpiece enters the line at the first machine and transfers from one machine to the next in the same fixed sequence until it has passed through the last machine. Inter-machine buffers are provided, the role of which is to help improve the overall system output. These buffers receive the output from one machine when the preceding one is broken down and provide input for a machine when the preceding one is broken down. A linear program (L. P.) is set up which represents the behaviour of the line in a time slice. An optimal solution of the L. P. for a 2-machine production line is proved, and using this solution an expression for the new inter-machine buffer stock level at the end of a cycle is obtained. The solution of the 2-machine L. P. model is extended to an N-machine line. The L. P. provides an analytic solution for the flow through the line in one cycle for given buffer stock level and machine state.
Page(s):
78-97
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Research journal, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Year: 1988