Maximizing the throughput of a rotating Seru with nonpreemptive discrete stations

Yin Gai, Yong Yin*, Dongni Li, Yaoxin Zhang, Jiafu Tang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Seru production systems are an effective way to respond to ever-changing market demand. This article focuses on maximizing the throughput of rotating serus with nonpreemptive stations, where a worker's operations cannot be disrupted. We analyze the effects of unbalanced worker velocities on non-value-added idle times. Through the use of dynamical system theories, we explicate the mechanism and dynamics of rotating serus, and identify the rules used to coordinate workers and distribute work content among stations to achieve the highest throughput. These findings provide practical guidelines for managers in floor shops for optimizing rotating seru design and maximizing throughput. Additionally, we explore the chaotic characteristics of rotating serus and simulate the effect of various factors on throughput. Finally, our comparative analysis demonstrates that the rotating seru offers a viable alternative to existing production systems to adapt to fluctuating demand.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)910-928
Number of pages19
JournalNaval Research Logistics
Volume70
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • bucket brigade
  • order picking
  • production systems
  • work coordination

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