The Buffer Allocation Problem in Production Lines: Formulations, Solution Methods, and Instances

Published as Weiss S., J. A. Schwarz & R. Stolletz (2019) The buffer allocation problem in production lines: Formulations, solution methods, and instances, IISE Transactions, 51:5, 456-485, DOI: 10.1080/24725854.2018.1442031

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 Last revised: 3 Feb 2021

See all articles by Sophie Weiss

Sophie Weiss

University of Mannheim

Justus Arne Schwarz

University of Mannheim

Raik Stolletz

University of Mannheim

Date Written: September 22, 2016

Abstract

Flow production lines with finite buffer capacities are used in practice for mass production, e.g., in the automotive and food industries. The decision regarding the allocation of buffer capacities to mitigate throughput losses from stochastic processing times and unreliable stations is known as the Buffer Allocation Problem (BAP).

This paper classifies and reviews the literature on the BAP with respect to different versions of the optimization problem. It considers the detailed characteristics of the flow lines, the objective function, and the constraints. Moreover, a new classification scheme for solution methods is presented that differentiates between explicit solutions, integrated optimization methods, and iterative optimization methods. The characteristics of test instances derived from realistic cases and test instances used in multiple references are discussed.

The review reveals gaps in the literature regarding the considered optimization problems and solution methods, especially with a view on realistic lines. In addition, a library, “FlowLineLib”, of realistic and already used test instances is provided.

Keywords: Buffer Allocation Problem; Flow Production Line; Classification; Survey; Instances; FlowLineLib

Suggested Citation

Weiss, Sophie and Schwarz, Justus Arne and Stolletz, Raik, The Buffer Allocation Problem in Production Lines: Formulations, Solution Methods, and Instances (September 22, 2016). Published as Weiss S., J. A. Schwarz & R. Stolletz (2019) The buffer allocation problem in production lines: Formulations, solution methods, and instances, IISE Transactions, 51:5, 456-485, DOI: 10.1080/24725854.2018.1442031 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2843435 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2843435

Sophie Weiss

University of Mannheim ( email )

Schloss
Mannheim, 68161
Germany

Justus Arne Schwarz (Contact Author)

University of Mannheim ( email )

Schloss
Mannheim, 68131
Germany

Raik Stolletz

University of Mannheim ( email )

Schloss
Mannheim, 68131
Germany

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