@article {5570174020110101,
	title = {Approximate performance analysis of CONWIP disciplines in unreliable non homogeneous transfer lines.},
	journal = {Annals of Operations Research},
	volume = {182},
	number = {1},
	year = {2011},
	pages = {213 - 233},
	abstract = {For a given choice of the maximum allowable total storage parameter, the performance of constant work-in-process (CONWIP) disciplines in unreliable transfer lines subjected to a constant rate of demand for parts, is characterized via a tractable approximate mathematical model. For a ( n?1) machines CONWIP loop, the model consists of n multi-state machine single buffer building blocks, separately solvable once a total of ( n?1) unknown constants shared by the building blocks are initialized. The multi-state machine is common to all building blocks, and its n discrete states approximate the joint operating state of the machines within the CONWIP loop; each of the first ( n?1) blocks maps into a single internal buffer dynamics, while the nth building block characterizes total work-in-process (wip) dynamics. The blocks correspond to linear n component state equations with boundary conditions. The unknown (shared) constants in the block dynamics are initialized and calculated by means of s},
	keywords = {Aggregation operators, CONWIP, Decomposition method (Mathematics), Decomposition/aggregation methods, Forward Kolmogorov equations, Mathematical models, Monte Carlo method, Operations research, Performance evaluation, Reliability (Engineering)},
	issn = {02545330},
	url = {http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true\&db=iih\&AN=55701740\&site=ehost-live},
	author = {Mhada, Fatima and Malhame, Roland}
}
