The effect of breakdowns on U-shaped production lines

Consider a synchronized line performing assembly or fabrication tasks. Task s are grouped into stations and stations are positioned on a line that is U -shaped. Stations may break down and be repaired. Small buffer inventories may be placed between stations to lessen the effect of breakdowns at one st ation on production at other stations. This paper investigates the effect o f the U-shape of the line on the line effectiveness. We find that effective ness increases when the line is U-shaped, compared with the traditional str aight line shape.