Abstract (100 words or less): |  | This research work considers the problem of performance improvement of a multi-stage, multi-product production line where workstations are subject to random failure and repair. A linear programming model is used and modified by taking into account the random behaviour of unreliable stations. Station’s downtime is modeled as a fictitious product inserted in the production sequence at appropriate positions. A general procedure for the insertion of fictitious products is presented. It consists of enumerating the station’s states and inserting fictitious products where appropriate; and finding the best buffer size that minimizes the cycle time. Numerical examples show all the steps involved to compute the expected cycle time. |