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Sample Path Optimal Policies for Serial Lines with Flexible Workers

Part of: Stochastic processes Operations research and management science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2016

Dimitrios G. Pandelis  and
Mark P. Van Oyen
Dimitrios G. Pandelis*
Affiliation:
University of Thessaly
Mark P. Van Oyen*
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
*
∗ Postal address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece. Email address: d_pandelis@mie.uth.gr
∗∗ Postal address: Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2117, USA.
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Abstract

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We study the dynamic assignment of cross-trained workers in serial production lines characterized by stochastic process times and inventory buffers between stations. Throughput maximization is the objective. Each worker is trained for a subset of tasks, where emphasis is placed on systems with each worker trained for a zone of stations with stations near the zone boundaries being served (shared) by one or more other workers as well. Using sample path comparisons, we identify structural properties of optimal worker allocation policies. We identify when (i) a worker can prioritize the job in the most downstream station (last-buffer-first-served), and (ii) only the downstream (as opposed to upstream) server should serve a single task.

Keywords

Stochastic schedulingworker flexibilitythroughput maximizationserial production line

MSC classification

Primary: 90B36: Scheduling theory, stochastic
Secondary: 90B22: Queues and service 60G17: Sample path properties
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Applied Probability , Volume 49 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 582 - 589
Copyright
© Applied Probability Trust 

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