A Discrete-Time Queuing Analysis of Conveyor-Serviced Production Stations

Abstract

This paper analyzes production stations that operate in conjunction with conveyors. Two types of production stations are considered: (1) loading stations that load processed material to the conveyor, and (2) unloading stations that remove material from the conveyor. An operating policy, the sequential range policy, is proposed as a method for operating the production stations. An analysis of the sequential range policy is given. The system is considered as a discrete-time queuing process with a stationary Bernoulli arrival rate. In-process storage is treated as a Markov process discrete in time and discrete in space. The expected number of units in storage and the expected delay per unit produced are derived. Certain economic problems are considered.