Throughput of a constant work in process manufacturing line subject to failures

We consider a production line consisting of several machines in tandem operating under a constant work in process (CONWIP) control strategy. We assume that processing times are deterministic but machines are subject to exponential failures and repairs. We model this system as a closed queueing netwo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of production research 1991-03, Vol.29 (3), p.635-655
Main Authors: HOPP, WALLACE J., SPEARMAN, MARK L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Operational research and scientific management
Operational research. Management science
Reliability theory. Replacement problems
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We consider a production line consisting of several machines in tandem operating under a constant work in process (CONWIP) control strategy. We assume that processing times are deterministic but machines are subject to exponential failures and repairs. We model this system as a closed queueing network and develop an approximate regenerative model (ARM) for estimating throughput and average cycle time as a function of WIP level. We compare ARM with mean value analysis (MVA) and develop readily computable tests of the suitability of the two approaches to a given production system. Through comparison with simulations, we show that ARM gives better predictions than MVA in a range of realistic situations.
ISSN:0020-7543
1366-588X
DOI:10.1080/00207549108930093