Optimal Allocation of Work in Production Line Systems with Variable Operation Times.
Abstract
The report investigates the design of multi-station queueing systems such as those arising in production or assembly lines. The main problem considered is to identify the optimal allocation of work in production line systems with variable operation times and limited storage space between the respective stations in series. It is assumed that the operation times have an Erlang distribution. The objective is to maximize the mean output rate (production rate) of the system. The foremost conclusion drawn is that the production rate of such production line systems having more than two stations can be increased by deliberately unbalancing the line (i.e., allocating unequal expected operation times to the respective stations) in an appropriate way. When equal storate spaces are provided, the pattern of the apparently optimal allocation of work follows a 'bowl phenomenon' whereby the plot of the amount of work as a function of station number looks like a cross-section of the interior of a bowl. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0748609
Entities
People
- Frederick Stanton Hillier
- Ronald W. Boling
Organizations
- Stanford University