Design and performance evaluation of closed automatic assembly systems

This paper presents a heuristic method for the design optimization and a regression model for the performance evaluation of closed automatic assembly systems (AASs). The heuristic method is based on a queueing network model. This method can be used to set the number of pallets in an AASs and the buffer space between each pair of stations to obtain the optimal system utilization. The regression model is based on computer simulation experiments which use the system design obtained from the heuristic method. It can provide a quick method for the performance evaluation of closed automatic assembly systems. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.