Performance analysis of a flexible flow shop with random and state-dependent batch transport

In many manufacturing contexts, performance modelling of an integrated production and material handling system is a complex problem. Existing research lacks an in-depth consideration of the integration of these two areas. A flexible flow shop with random and state-dependent batch transport, where th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of production research 2021-02, Vol.59 (4), p.982-1002
Main Authors: Zhang, Hui-Yu, Xi, Shao-Hui, Chen, Qing-Xin, Smith, James MacGregor, Mao, Ning, Li, Xiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
automated guided vehicle
Automated guided vehicles
batch transport
flexible flow shop
Job shops
Materials handling
performance analysis
queueing networks
Queuing theory
Systems design
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Summary:In many manufacturing contexts, performance modelling of an integrated production and material handling system is a complex problem. Existing research lacks an in-depth consideration of the integration of these two areas. A flexible flow shop with random and state-dependent batch transport, where the batch size depends on the number of jobs in the buffers and the capacity of automated guided vehicles, is considered and modelled as an open queueing network with blocking. A decomposition method of state space is proposed for computing system performance measures. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated by comparing the results with simulations from numerical experiments. Meanwhile, the properties of the system, especially for material handling processes, are investigated and analyzed according to the experiments. The results of this paper can be used as a basis for system design, analysis, and resource planning.
ISSN:0020-7543
1366-588X
DOI:10.1080/00207543.2020.1712488