New restricted enumeration method for production line design optimization

Abstract The two-machine line model is often used as a building block to analyze and develop approximation methods for wider and more complex production systems. In this context, the addressed paper presents a new formulation, e ective in both identical and di erent production rates cases, of a two-machine-one-bu er design problem. The objective is to identify the optimal con gurations (machines selection and bu er optimization) in order to maximize the system throughput and to minimize the bu er size. The model considers also a required minimum level of availability and a limited cost for acquiring machines constraints. As a resolution approach, we develop a new restricted enumeration method based on the proposed mathematical model and the Pareto dominance relationship. The proposed method is compared with the full enumeration approach and experimental results are reported and discussed.