Analysis of the Buffer Installation Effects

Based on the analysis developed in "Study on Buffer Storage in Production Line Systems (1st Report)" this report will address itself to mainly the following problems about two-stage lines: (1) Should buffer stocks be used ? (2) What are the effects of given buffer capacity on the line efficiency and the number of mean buffer stocks ? (3) What are the effects of variation of breakdown rates and that of repair rates ? To answer these questions investigation on the line efficiency and the mean buffer stocks for various system parameters of two-stage lines has been carried out. It is to be shown that there are three kinds of line efficiency 'curves and three kinds of mean buffer stock curves, and that installing buffer storage is most effective when the breakdown rates are high and the mean repair time is short, and that the difference of breakdown rates reduces the effects of installing a buffer and that of repair rates does not and therefore the stages should be designed to have approximately the same breakdown rates.