Single simulation buffer optimization

Abstract

The performance of manufacturing systems can be adjusted by allocation buffer into the manufacturing system. Buffer will improve the performance of manufacturing systems by improving the utilization of the constraints; yet buffer will also increase the makespan and the work in progress. Due to the complex nature of the systems, buffer allocation is usually difficult to optimize. This paper presents a prediction model of the effect of buffer based on the shifting bottleneck detection and a blocking and starving analysis. The prediction model is used to optimize the buffer allocation using only a single simulation. Copyright © 2006 by The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.