Determination of buffer sizes in assembly systems using theory of continuous time stochastic processes

Abstract

A selecting appropriate buffer sizes for the assembly system is a complex task that must account for random fluctuations in production rates. After the analysis of assembly systems with two workstations and one buffer, a mathematical model of the buffer states is proposed using the theory of continuous time stochastic processes, and the probability of the buffer being full is determined as a function of buffer size. Then a progressive algorithm is introduced to determine the buffer sizes in an assembly system with more two workstations. Eventually, an experimental case is given to demonstrate the validity of this study.