A closed queuing maintenance network for automated manufacturing systems

This paper models an unreliable automated manufacturing system CAMS) by a c losed queuing network. The AMS consists of a multi-stage network of automat ed work stations linked by a computer. A closed queuing algorithm is applie d to determine the system availability under steady state for the AMS. This algorithm is then integrated into a cost optimization model. By applying t he revised genetic algorithm, the optimal (or near-optimal) number of stand by units and repair rates for the repair stations are derived by minimizing the total cost. The model is verified by the intuitive results from the se nsitivity analysis. A numerical example is used to compare the revised gene tic algorithm and the conventional genetic algorithm. The results show that the proposed revised algorithm leads to significant improvement in executi on time and lower average total cost.