BUFFER ALLOCATION IN UNBALANCED 3-STATION SERIAL LINES

We consider the problem of allocating buffer storage to unbalanced ser ial production lines so as to maximize steady-state throughput. We foc us on the three-station line whose processing time probability distrib utions differ in either or both mean and variance. We develop rules of thumb for the optimal placement of buffers, and demonstrate the count erintuitive result that a balanced or nearly balanced buffer allocatio n is optimal for many highly unbalanced lines. We also demonstrate tha t an imbalance in means has a greater impact on buffer allocation than an imbalance in variances. Finally, we explore the extension of these results to the general serial line.