ANALYSIS OF OPERATING POLICIES FOR MANUFACTURING CELLS

We present an analytical model for error-recovery problems of unitary production cells and develop a framework for economic justification. E ach production cell has its own machine and functional characteristics (e.g. precision, speed, operating cost). Each alternative operating p olicy of error-recovery for a production cell leads to a different sys tem throughput, scrap rate, and required quantities of parts. However, error recovery cannot be accomplished without in-process inspections. Thus, the central problem discussed in this paper is to maximize prof its or throughput rate by selecting an appropriate production cell alo ng with an optimal set of inspection and error recovery policies.