Queueing theory in manufacturing systems analysis and design: A classification of models for production and transfer lines

Queueing network modeling of manufacturing systems has been addressed by a large number of researchers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a bibliography of material concerned with modeling of production and transfer lines using queueing networks. Both production and transfer lines have a product-flow layout and are used in mass manufacturing. We denote production lines as flow lines with asynchronous part transfer, while transfer lines have synchronous part transfer. As well as providing a bibliography of material, a contribution of this paper is also the systematic categorization of the queueing network models based on their assumptions. This, it is hoped, will be of use to researchers of queueing networks and also manufacturing system designers. A number of suggestions are also given for further research. The basic source for this work is the book by Papadopoulos, Heavey and Browne, with the addition of the newly published papers and books (from 1992 to early 1995).