Modelling blocking systems with zero buffer in semi-process industries

Nico Goosens and Nico Vandaele

Working Papers from University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics

Abstract: Blocking systems with zero buffers are typical for (semi-)process industries. They have not only th characteristics of limited buffer systems, but if buffer sizes are zero, the equipment is often used as temporary storage. This cause the effective utilization to be higher than the natural (productive) utilization. As in (semi-)process industries the capital intensity is high, the correct load for a given capacity is crucial. For given demand volumes (and mix), the objective is to operate the equipment in such a way that productivity is maximized without (too much) blocking. This problem happens to be very complex, especially in a stochastic setting. Methodologically, we can conclude that analytical models to model these systems are not wide spread. However, there exists a great similarity between blocking systems without buffer and kanban systems. For kanban systems, analytical models to calculate the performance are available. The purpose of this paper is to apply an analytical model of kanban system to a blocking system without buffer. Based on simulation results, the performance of the kanban analytical model applied to the blocking system is studied and improved.

Pages: 26 pages
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