A novel model for a manufacturing system with joint production lines in terms of prior-set

Abstract

A novel model integrating transformation and decomposition techniques is proposed to construct a manufacturing system with joint production lines as a multi-state manufacturing network (MMN). Reworking actions and different defect rates of workstations are both taken into account in the MMN model. The capacity analysis and performance evaluation are implemented accordingly. In particular, a technique in terms of ‘prior-set’ is developed to deal with multiple reworking actions. Subsequently, two simple algorithms are proposed to generate all minimal capacity vectors that workstations should provide to satisfy a given demand. In terms of such vectors, the probability of demand satisfaction can be derived. Such a probability is referred to as the system reliability, which is a performance indicator to state the capability of the MMN. According to each specific minimal capacity vector, the production manager may further determine a better strategy to produce products.