The buffer allocation problem in production lines: Formulations, solution methods, and instances
综述了生产线中缓冲区容量分配问题的不同版本、求解方法分类及测试实例，指出文献中针对现实生产线的优化问题和方法存在的空白，并提供了实例库FlowLineLib。
Flow production lines with finite buffer capacities are used in practice for mass production, e.g., in the automotive and food industries. The decision regarding the allocation of buffer capacities to mitigate throughput losses from stochastic processing times and unreliable stations is known as the Buffer Allocation Problem (BAP). This article classifies and reviews the literature on the BAP with respect to different versions of the optimization problem. It considers the detailed characteristics of the flow lines, the objective function, and the constraints. Moreover, a new classification scheme for solution methods is presented that differentiates between explicit solutions, integrated optimization methods, and iterative optimization methods. The characteristics of test instances derived from realistic cases and test instances used in multiple references are discussed. The review reveals gaps in the literature regarding the considered optimization problems and solution methods, especially with a view on realistic lines. In addition, a library, FlowLineLib, of realistic and already used test instances is provided.