Modeling of finite buffer cellular manufacturing systems with unreliable machines

We develop a methodology for the analysis of finite buffer cellular manufacturing systems with unreliable machines. We model the system using an open stochastic queueing network. Decomposition, isolation and expansion methodologies are used to calculate the throughput of the system. The methodology is tested rigorously. Orthogonal arrays are used to design the experiments in order to cover a large experimental region. The results of these experiments are compared to their corresponding simulation results. In order to investigate the differences between the results of the methodology and the simulation results, t-tests are carried out. When tested over a wide range of parameters, the results show that the methodology is remarkably accurate and robust.