Comparative evaluations of buffer allocation strategies in a serial production line

Abstract

The problem of allocating buffer storage to serial production lines so as to maximise steady-state throughput is considered. Some researchers have previously developed rules of thumb for the optimum allocation of a given total amount of buffer space to maximise the throughput of a production line. In this paper, a modified buffer allocation strategy based on the Lin & Lin's rule, is suggested, and it is compared with three other existing strategies. Some recommendations are made on how to select a buffer allocation strategy. In addition, a buffer utilisation-based search method, which is a methodology to increase the throughput of a production line, is suggested.