Optimal buffer allocation of serial production lines with quality inspection machines

Abstract

Using Taylor series expansion and probability generating function technique, we present an approximation method for the analysis of the average steady state throughput of serial production lines with unreliable machines, finite buffers and quality inspection machines. Employing the approximation method, we propose an analytic method for the optimal buffer allocation to achieve a desired throughput. The proposed methods are validated by computer simulations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.