UNIT LOAD SIZE AS A FUNCTION OF THE DEGREE OF OVERTAKING

In some assembly systems, the assembly objects (jobs) can overtake eac h other, i.e. get behind or ahead compared to the entry point sequence . In these systems, the materials supply of synchronous components, in tended for a specific assembly object, can be a problem since these co mponents have to be matched to the assembly objects. Such matching is usually achieved through sequencing buffers of materials or objects. T his paper introduces a measurement of the ''degree of overtaking'' (de noted SQD), studied by means of a simulation model of systems differin g from each other with regard to flow structure and materials buffer d esign. Results from these simulations, including the number of mismatc hes (NM) between objects and components, are presented. Based on these results, a model is proposed for calculating the economical package s ize for synchronous components.