A general framework for comparing operating policies in manufacturing cells

A general framework to describe operating policies in manufacturing cells is presented. A policy can be characterized by assigning appropriate values to a set of descriptive parameters. System configuration is described by one set of parameters and operating policies by another. Examples are presented to illustrate the choice of parameter values. The framework forms the basis for a general-purpose discrete-event simulator. This simulator is used to study various operating philosophies under a wide variety of operating environments.