On the Optimal Workloads Allocation of an FMS with Finite In-process Buffers

This paper considers a workload allocation problem of a flexible manufacturing system composed of several parallel workstations each with both input and output buffers where two automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are used for input and output material handling. The problem is divided into 4 types according to the capacities of input and output buffers, and then analyzed to yield the highest throughput for the given FMS model. Some interesting properties are derived that are useful for characterizing optimal allocation of workloads, and some numerical results are presented.