Transfer batch sizing in flexible manufacturing systems

This paper presents methods to determine optimal transfer batch sizes of various part types between two machines to minimize the sum of the total relevant costs. Information required includes the expected production requirements, the operations' processing times, travel times, inventory carrying costs, and other information. The total relevant cost components include material handling, pallet, holding, and machine costs. The structure developed is relevant to an activity-based costing system. Scheduling is optimized to attain a good machine utilization. Mathematical programs are developed to minimize total costs subject to the appropriate constraints. Finally, comparisons to other possible and typical methods of transfer batch sizing are done to show the relevance of the proposed methods.