Simulation of production lines involving unreliable machines : the importance of machine position and breakdown statistics

This paper demonstrates the importance of choosing the correct statistical distributions for breakdown frequency and duration when simulating production line productivity. Statistical distributions with a wide range tend to reduce the productivity of the line. Also, it is demonstrated that the productivity of a production line can be improved simply by re-arranging the order of unreliable machines in the line. If the line consists of similar or exchangeable machines, productivity can improved if the most unreliable machines are placed towards the end of the line.Godkänd; 2007; 20071119 (cira