Transfer batch sizing in flexible manufacturing systems

This paper presents methods to determine optimal transfer batch sizes of va rious part types between two machines to minimize the sum of the total rele vant costs. Information required includes the expected production requireme nts, the operations' processing times, travel times, inventory carrying cos ts, and other information. The total relevant cost components include mater ial handling, pallet, holding, and machine costs. The structure developed i s relevant to an activity-based costing system. Scheduling is optimized to attain a good machine utilization. Mathematical programs are developed to m inimize total costs subject to the appropriate constraints. Finally, compar isons to other possible and typical methods of transfer batch sizing are do ne to show the relevance of the proposed methods.