Buffer allocation problem in a shoe manufacturing line: A metamodeling approach

Abstract

Footwear production is subject to the variability inherent in any process, and producers often need to apply tools that allow them to make the right decisions. This work documents the process to optimize the buffer allocation in a shoe manufacturing line minimizing the cycle time in the system, applying a metamodeling approach. It was found that the Front sewing operation, and the interaction between the Lining sewing operation and the assembly operation have the greatest effect on the flow time of the product within the process; the optimum assignment of spaces follows a non-uniform arrangement on the line saturating the slower stations; the cycle time follows a non-linear behavior vs. the total number of spaces (N) in the line. For a certain value of N, the cycle time reaches a minimum value.