X. Chao et al., PRIORITIZATION OF KANBANS IN THE CASE OF A SINGLE STATION SERVING MULTIPLE DOWNSTREAM STATIONS, International Journal of Production Research, 33(2), 1995, pp. 377-389
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Engineering,"Operatione Research & Management Science
When implementing the kanban method in non-serial production lines, an
interesting prioritization problem arises. Often a single server stat
ion will be linked with M different downstream stations via M separate
kanban loops. Then the K-priority problem may be described as determi
ning which kanban card should be processed next, given that empty card
s are waiting in more than one loop. The objective in prioritizing the
kanbans is to reduce back order or shortage costs and inventory costs
at the downstream stations. Utilizing the theory of Markovian decisio
n process and dynamic programming concepts, a solution to the K-priori
ty problem is developed. This solution is labelled the K-rule, and was
found to outperform the first-come-first-served and longest queue rul
es, plus a cost inclusive heuristic rule, in experimental tests.