Cooperation in a distributed dual resource-constrained manufacturing system Online publication date: Fri, 16-Jun-2006
by Jos A.C. Bokhorst, Jannes Slomp, Gerard J.C. Gaalman
International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology (IJCAT), Vol. 26, No. 1/2, 2006
Abstract: In this paper, we distinguish two types of cooperation between distributed manufacturing cells to deal with variations in the request for manufacturing capacity between cells. Load-oriented Cooperation (LC) concerns the reallocation of jobs to different cells. Resource-oriented Cooperation (RC) refers to movements of workers between cells. We investigate the effect of these types of cooperation on manufacturing performance by means of a simulation study. Major outcome of our study is that the maximal effect of LC is higher than the maximal effect of RC. Furthermore, our study indicates that a high level of LC may absorb all positive effects of RC. However, RC remains relevant in case of low levels of LC. LC remains profitable, even in case of a maximal level of RC. Our study also shows that increased labour utilization magnifies the effect of a first introduction of some cooperation.
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 Computer Applications in Technology (IJCAT):
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