Management of component accumulation in small-lot assembly systems

Abstract Recent emphasis on just-in-time production and reduction of in-process inventory highlights the need for more effective approaches to manage material flow at accumulation (kitting) stages in assembly operations. This paper presents a conceptual model of component accumulation in small-lot assembly systems and mathematica; models that describe kit earliness, kit tardiness and in-process time for component inventory. Understanding of the accumulation process is promoted by a sensitivity analysis which describes the relationships between accumulation time and important parameters such as the number of components required in the accumulation. Fundamental relationships are used in an approach for managing the accumulation process by selecting safety lead times which give a minimum cost trade-off between early and late delivery of components.