OPTIMAL-DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION LINES WITH UNRELIABLE MACHINES AND INFINITE BUFFERS

Despite the increasing use of automated manufacturing systems, combini ng flexible technology, only a few models for designing such systems a re available. This paper presents a model for the determination of the profit-maximizing configuration of workstations (both machine types a nd number) along a flexible production line with unreliable machines a nd infinite buffers. A mixed integer programming formulation of the pr oblem is introduced and an optimal solution algorithm is developed. Fo r large scale problems a heuristic procedure is presented.