A fast algorithm for buffer allocation problem

作者：Li, Lei^*; Qian, YanLing; Yang, Yong Min; Du, Kai

来源：International Journal of Production Research, 2016, 54(11): 3243-3255.

DOI：10.1080/00207543.2015.1092612

• buffer allocation problem
• optimisation
• unreliable production lines
• decomposition method

In this paper, we address the problem of seeking optimal buffer configurations in unreliable production lines with the objective of maximising their production rates. A fast algorithm is proposed for solving the problem. The key idea is to decompose a long production line into a set of overlapping three-machine two-buffer systems. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by a comparison with the degraded ceiling (DC) algorithm. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm is almost as accurate as the DC algorithm, but it is much faster, especially for long production lines.

• 出版日期2016
• 单位中国人民解放军国防科学技术大学