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Manufacturing flow line systems: a review of models and analytical results

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Abstract

The most important models and results of the manufacturing flow line literature are described. These include the major classes of models (asynchronous, synchronous, and continuous); the major features (blocking, processing times, failures and repairs); the major properties (conservation of flow, flow rate-idle time, reversibility, and others); and the relationships among different models. Exact and approximate methods for obtaining quantitative measures of performance are also reviewed. The exact methods are appropriate for small systems. The approximate methods, which are the only means available for large systems, are generally based on decomposition, and make use of the exact methods for small systems. Extensions are briefly discussed. Directions for future research are suggested.

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  1. Laboratoire MASI (UA 818, CNRS), Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4, Place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Yves Dallery

  2. Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Stanley B. Gershwin

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  1. Yves Dallery
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Dallery, Y., Gershwin, S.B. Manufacturing flow line systems: a review of models and analytical results. Queueing Syst 12, 3–94 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01158636

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