Transfer lines: a deterministic model for buffer capacity selection

A key problem in transfer line design is that of determining what size should be assigned to intermediate storage buffers in order to maintain a desired production rate despite the imbalances in supply and demand which may arise within the system. In this paper, a deterministic model of production and storage operations of a transfer line, subject to breakdowns and subsequent repair of stations, is presented. Then a simple method, based on the cumulative production curve of each station, for analyzing transfer lines operations is suggested. An extensive use of the method, both numerically and graphically, allows an accurate selection of intermediate storage capacities in the light of guaranteeing the system a stationary mean production rate.