Analysis of in-process buffers for multi-stage transfer line systems

Abstract

Abstract The paper deals with the role of buffer stock in multi-stage transfer lines by presenting computer simulation results. It is shown that an n-stage line should be designed such that the lowest stage production rate occurs in the nth stage, the second lowest in the first stage, the third lowest in the (n - 1 )st stage, the fourth lowest in the second stage and so on, to maximize line production rate. The paper also demonstrates that the total buffer capacity should be allocated such that (a) the difference between the production rates of the stages on either side of a storage point is minimized, and (b) the production rate of the stages before the storage point is slightly greater than that of the stages following the storage point