Modeling and analysis of reentrant manufacturing systems: Micro- and macroperspectives

Abstract

In order to obtain the better analysis of the multiple reentrant manufacturing systems (MRMSs), their modeling and analysis from both micro- and macroperspectives are considered. First, this paper presents the discrete event simulation models for MRMS and the corresponding algorithms are developed. In order to describe MRMS more accurately, then a modified continuum model is proposed. This continuum model takes into account the re-entrant degree of products, and its effectiveness is verified through numerical experiments. Finally, based on the discrete event simulation and the modified continuum models, a numerical example is used to analyze the MRMS. The changes in the WIP levels and outflux are also analyzed in details for multiple re-entrant supply chain networks. Meanwhile, some interesting observations are discussed. © 2011 Fenglan He et al.