The effect of breakdowns on U-shaped production lines
研究了U形生产线中工作站故障对整体效率的影响，发现相比传统直线布局，U形布局能提高生产效率。
Consider a synchronized line performing assembly or fabrication tasks. Tasks are grouped into stations and stations are positioned on a line that is U-shaped. Stations may break down and be repaired. Small buffer inventories may be placed between stations to lessen the effect of breakdowns at one station on production at other stations. This paper investigates the effect of the U-shape of the line on the line effectiveness. We find that effectiveness increases when the line is U-shaped, compared with the traditional straight line shape.