Tracking production rate of constant work-in-process controlled job shop

Abstract

A multiproduct class, multiworkstation Constant Work-In-Process (CONWIP) controlled job shop is formulated and analysed by applying the Markovian network model, in such a way that yields a feasible level of CONWIP. A new approach for analysing the job shop network model was presented and routing probability matrix and model solutions were derived and presented. Consequently the job shop ? as a single unit ? is formulated as (M/M/1: GD/∞/∞) queue and solved in such a way that matches production capacity of the shop floor with the outside customer demand under CONWIP production scheme. Numerical example is presented to illustrate the computations of different model parameters. It is concluded that the developed analytical approach, in this study, realised our objectives of achieving a good trade-off between customer demand and CONWIP level in the CONWIP controlled production environment that uses a hybrid push/pull production authorisation policy.