DETERMINATION OF BUFFER SIZE IN SINGLE AND MULTI ROW FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS THROUGH SIMULATION

This paper presents the determination of buffer size for machines in single and multi row Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) for the best layout obtained by genetic algorithm (GA) throughsimulation. To maximize the operating performance of FMS, many parameters must be considered, including the part types, sequencing, cost of transport between workstations, distance between machinesand buffer sizes. Of the various critical factors, following three are considered for analysis: (1) minimizing the buffer size (2) minimizing the blocking and (3) maximizing the machine utilization.Simulation enables more efficient planning of the whole FMS, easy modifications before implementation on the real system. The software package FLEXSIM is used to develop the simulation model. A model ofa optimum layout FMS obtained by GA that may contain a number of machines, input and output buffers, capturing part types flow quantities, part routes, from the database and AGV’s used as a meansof transport, is built by FLEXSIM software. Analysis is done on the model to determine the optimum buffer size for the machines. Thus by performing simulation on the model optimum buffer size in theindividual rows are established.