Title: Comparison of different types of variability when using lot splitting in a dynamic open job shop

Authors: Kurt Hozak

Addresses: Department of Management and Decision Sciences, Wall College of Business, Coastal Carolina University, P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528, USA

Abstract: Previous shop floor control research has shown that lot splitting can improve flow time performance and that disruptions to smooth and even material flow through the production process are detrimental. We use a simulation model to extend the literature by differentiating between four types of variability that might disrupt material flow and by analysing their effects on the magnitude of flow time improvement from lot splitting in dynamic open job shops with a range of utilisations, setup to processing time ratios, and job sizes. We believe that we are the first to show that those types of variability have vastly different effects on how much flow time improvement lot splitting can offer. The findings will help manufacturers identify processes that will benefit the most from lot splitting and aid researchers in developing better experimental designs.

Keywords: lot splitting; lot streaming; batch splitting; simulation; modelling; shop floor control; dynamic job shops; open job shops; manufacturing; variability; uncertainty; material flows; dispatching rules; flow time improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAOM.2013.055866

International Journal of Advanced Operations Management, 2013 Vol.5 No.3, pp.199 - 220

Received: 23 Aug 2011
Accepted: 02 May 2012
Published online: 28 Apr 2014 *

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