<b>Promoting Flexibility in the Mixed-model Assembly Line by Introducing </b><b>Bu</b>ff<b>er Stocks </b>

Abstract

: The purpose of this paper is to clarify the increase in flexibility by introducing buffer stocks that enable modelsequence changes in a mixed-model assembly line. It is shown that changing the model sequences between stations can shorten the line length for a mixed-model assembly. Numerical analysis indicates that the range of possible operation time combinations of models can be increased and the model mix can be made more flexible by introducing buffer stocks under the same line length. This phenomenon is also discussed from the viewpoint of the relationship between buffers and flexibility. A procedure for examining feasible combinations of operation times is presented.