Workflow analysis of production lines with complete inspection and rework loops

• Published in: International journal of production research Vol. 48; no. 24; pp. 7321 - 7336
• Main Authors: Giannakis, Giorgos, Kouikoglou, Vassilis S., Nikitas, Spilios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 15.12.2010; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Allocations; Applied sciences; Assembly lines; Exact sciences and technology; flow lines; Flows in networks. Combinatorial problems; Inspection; inspection allocation; Inspections; Inventory control; Inventory control, production control. Distribution; Networks; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Optimization; Performance evaluation; Production lines; queuing networks; Queuing theory; Queuing theory. Traffic theory; Serials; Stations; Studies; Work in process; Workflow; Performance evaluation; Production system; Groupware; Network flow; flow lines; queuing networks; Workflow; Production line; In-process inventory; Queueing network; Problem solving; Inventory control; inspection allocation; Physical Sciences
• ISSN: 0020-7543; 1366-588X
• DOI: 10.1080/00207540903469050

We study the flows induced by different rework loops in serial manufacturing systems with inspection stations. Average values of these flows and queuing network formulas are used for performance evaluation and optimisation of production lines. An application is presented for solving jointly the problems of inventory control and inspection station allocation in a CONWIP production line.