Analysis and decomposition of transfer and flow lines - a review (Q1094317)

Analysis of transfer and flow lines with intermediate buffers has been an active research area for quite some time. The building-block for analysis generally has been a two-machine line with intermediate buffer and the solution forms have evolved from a geometric distribution for the buffer stock to a product-form solution and to a matrix-geometric solution for more complex systems. For longe lines, we have classified the decomposition approaches into: (a) Condensation approaches based on condensing everything upstream/downstream of a buffer into a pseudo- machine with certain characteristics for failure, repair and processing; (b) Segmentation approaches with 1-station-1-buffer segments and modelling the actual no-loss system in terms of a derived loss system, and (c) Segmentation approaches with two-machine-one-buffer segments, involving no loss-system modelling, and preserving original machine characteristics. The different decomposition methods throw light on the interactions of different components of the system - a valuable input in the design of complex systems.