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The influence of spare parts provisioning on buffer size in a production system

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  • Gudrun P. Kiesmüller
  • Julia Zimmermann

Abstract

We consider a discrete-part production line consisting of two machines with random processing and failure times. One option that can mitigate the effect of these uncertainties is the installation of a buffer between the two machines to avoid starving and blocking of the machines. In this article, we additionally allow the keeping of spare parts in stock to enable a fast repair and reduce machine downtime. We introduce a new model to support the optimization of the buffer size and the spare parts inventory level simultaneously. The model is based on a continuous-time Markov chain and our aim is to minimize the average costs, which are composed of costs for work in process and the stock-keeping of spare parts, subject to a minimum target throughput. Our numerical analysis reveals that the availability of spare parts can increase throughput enormously or reduce the required buffer size for a given target throughput. Using our approach, as opposed to a sequential approach, we can quantify the cost savings, which can be obtained by a joint optimization of the buffer size and the inventory level. Large cost savings can be obtained by the application of our new approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Gudrun P. Kiesmüller & Julia Zimmermann, 2018. "The influence of spare parts provisioning on buffer size in a production system," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(5), pages 367-380, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:uiiexx:v:50:y:2018:i:5:p:367-380
    DOI: 10.1080/24725854.2018.1426134
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Block & Alireza Ahmadi & Xun Xiao & Uday Kumar, 2019. "Spares provisioning strategy for periodically replaced units within the fleet retirement period," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 10(3), pages 299-315, June.
    2. Kiesmüller, G.P. & Sachs, F.E., 2020. "Spare parts or buffer? How to design a transfer line with unreliable machines," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(1), pages 121-134.
    3. Sachs, F.E. & Helber, S. & Kiesmüller, G.P., 2022. "Evaluation of Unreliable Flow Lines with Limited Buffer Capacities and Spare Part Provisioning," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 302(2), pages 544-559.
    4. Schlosser, Florian & Seevers, Jan-Peter & Peesel, Ron-Hendrik & Walmsley, Timothy Gordon, 2019. "System efficient integration of standby control and heat pump storage systems in manufacturing processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 395-406.

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