Queueing network analysis on dynamic lot streaming

Lot streaming is a technique used to split a production lot into several smaller transfer batches. In this way, processing a product in a multistage serial production system by overlapping production between stages is available. As a result, production can be accelerated. In this paper, a modified N-policyM/G/1 queueing system with a non-reliable server is proposed. With the relevant parameters of this queueing system, the problem of lot streaming in dynamic situations can be solved. To obtain the optimal transfer batch size, a cost objective function including transport cost, repair cost, turning cost, and holding cost is formulated. Further, in order to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed methods, numerical examples are solved. On the basis of the results of these examples, some important conclusions are drawn. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.