Managing the effects of variability in drum-buffer-rope systems Online publication date: Sun, 02-Dec-2007
by Riham A. Khalil, David J. Stockton, John A. Fresco
International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IJISE), Vol. 3, No. 1, 2008
Abstract: Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) planning and control provides synchronous flow through work areas using minimum amounts of in-process buffer stocks. However, the effectiveness of DBR is compromised by high levels of variability which can cause constraint resources to shift between processes resulting in DBR schedules, buffer positions and buffer sizes becoming ineffective in ensuring maximum system throughput levels. A methodology is presented for measuring the levels of variability at single processes, by combining the variability arising from various sources, such that improved identification of actual and potential constraint resources may be possible. Cycle time probability distributions are developed for individual processes which are then used to identify the relative levels of blocking and waiting that may arise due to differences in variability levels between sequential processes. Using this information, a wider range of methods can then be used to offset the effects of variability and improve the effectiveness of DBR systems.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IJISE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook