This research is concerned with buffer management in a multi-cell FMS with an AGVS. Buffers in manufacturing systems are required to reduce blocking and starving caused by breakdowns, variability in process times, and diversity of part routing. Due to the high per unit buffer cost, which primarily consists of floor space and equipment costs, the total capacity of buffers in an FMS is very limited. Proper buffer management can provide a high system efficiency. This paper presents a buffer management model for a multi-cell FMS with an AGVS and a simulation study to compare the proposed model to a conventional buffer management model in a job shop FMS.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. REVIEW OF TERATURE
3. VIRTUAL SYSTEM BUFFER
4. PERFORMANCE TEST ON A VIRTUAL SYSTEM-BUFFER STRATEGY
5. SIMULATION RESULTS
6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
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