PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF FLEXIBLE WORKCENTRES USING MULTIQUEUE MODELS

We construct a multiqueue model of high fidelity for detailed performa nce evaluation of flexible machine centres. These models permit one to represent part type specific demand, processing, and setup time value s, and to obtain part type specific performance figures. We show throu gh numerical examples that variabilities in system parameters can indu ce paradoxical system behaviour. We also present an enhanced model whi ch concerns a workpiece undergoing several operations at the workcentr e, and its application to evaluate alternative scheduling strategies.