Buffer size evaluation in a bottle plant production system: a comparison between different solving methods. (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zennaro, Ilenia; Finco, Serena; Aldrighetti, Riccardo; Battini, Daria
• Is Part Of: International journal of services and operations management. Volume 42:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 500
• Page End: 524
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: buffer allocation problem -- BAP -- discrete event simulation -- automatic production lines -- experimental models -- real case application; Production management -- Periodicals; 658.5005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-2370

Abstract

The buffer allocation problem (BAP) is a crucial research issue in designing manufacturing systems. Several methods have been proposed including simulation modelling, exact and heuristics approaches. Simulation is usually time-consuming and requires expensive software; analytical approaches necessitate specific knowledge that is uncommon in companies, especially among small-medium enterprises (SMEs). Thus, practitioners generally develop empirical methods based on their experience, to get buffers size with easy-to-use procedures. This paper proposes a comparison between three BAP approaches: an empirical method, a simulation method, and an experimental formula, all applied in a real case study. Simulation approach leads to a great optimal solution, but it requires to buy the software and time to build the model. The empirical method requires a shorter time but the buffer size results in severe additional costs. Finally, the experimental formula proves to be a good trade-off between the obtained buffer size and the efforts addressed its application.