ESTIMATING PRODUCT WORKLOADS IN A PRODUCTION SYSTEM WITH ALTERNATIVE DISSIMILAR MACHINES OPERATED IN A PRODUCE-TO-ORDER ENVIRONMENT

It is difficult to estimate the workload of each product in a producti on system with alternative dissimilar machines operated in a produce-t o-order environment because of the problem of predicting distribution of operations among different machines. Several simple and easily comp utable indices are commonly used in industry. This paper examines thro ugh simulation experiments the feasibility of estimating product workl oads using these indices. Results indicate that in certain practical s ituations and circumstances estimations by the indices are feasible an d may meet management requirements.