Predicting the performance of unpaced assembly lines where one station variability may be smaller than the others

Reliable predictive formulae are presented for calculating the output efficiency of unpaced assembly lines under two conditions: one, in which all stations in the line exhibit constant variability (Cv); the other, has one of the stations in the line having a lower coefficient of variation (COVA) than those of the other stations (CV). The prediction models apply to various combinations of buffer capacity, processing time variability and operating strategies. Predictions of line performances are then compared with simulation data to determine their applicability for design purposes.