Automated production line design with flexible unreliable machines for profit maximization

A model is presented for jointly determining the profit-maximizing configuration of machines (both type and number) and buffer capacities along an automated flexible production line. A heuristic solution procedure is developed for the general case of finite buffer capacities. The procedure combines an optimal solution algorithm for the case of infinite buffers with a heuristic algorithm which determines the finite buffer capacities. [An erratum to Table 6 is published in IJPR 35:9, p. 2666.]