A factorial analysis of automatic transfer line systems

Abstract

A 2³ factorial experiment was conducted based on a discrete-time computer model to elucidate the effects of system configuration, relative stage position and buffer capacity allocation in automatic transfer line systems under steady-state conditions. A total of 96 simulated experiments were conducted. It was found that second and third-order interaction effects could be statistically significant, a potentially useful result being the possibility of increasing production rate and decreasing average in-process stock simultaneously