Simulation studies of conveyor-paced assembly lines with buffer capacity

Abstract

A simulation, model has been developed to describe an assembly line where items are removed from a conveyor belt for processing and returned for transportation to subsequent work stations. Output characteristics are presented for the case where operator's work-time distributions can be approximated to a normal curve, and the analysis is made so as to generalize the results over a useful range of tolerance, feed interval and mean service times. In particular, the effect of buffer capacity on line performance, and its relevance to tolerance time, is studied.

The work is extended to cover carousel-type systems and the case where items are moved on discrete load-bearing fixtures, e.g. hooks. Some interesting anomalies arise with respect to the hook-type conveyor belt arrangement. Hook-type flowlines differ markedly in their behaviour according to whether buffer capacity is provided or not. The nature of these operating characteristics is discussed in terms of the influence of tolerance time, buffer capacity, and hook density on the variable feed rate associated with such assembly lines.