Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Examination of Some Factory Physics Principles

  • Published:
Journal of the Operations Research Society of China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, we examine some principles in managing manufacturing systems. These principles are concerned with the variability, the utilization, the rework, the lead time, and the constant work-in-process efficiency. While these principles are developed through analyzing some simpler disconnected flow line manufacturing systems, we examine whether they can have broad applications. For some of these principles, we provide sufficient conditions, while for others, we provide counterexamples. Our analysis suggests that we should be very cautious about these laws when applied to non-Markov and non-tandem systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Einstein, A.: Forward. In: Frank, P. (ed.) Relativity—A Richer Truth. Alden Press, Oxford (1951)

  2. Hopp, W.J., Spearman, M.L.: Factory Physics, 3rd edn. Waveland Press, Long Grove (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Buzacott, J.A., Shanthikumar, J.G.: Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Systems. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1992)

  4. Kelly, F.P.: Reversibility and Stochastic Networks. Wiley, New York (1979)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. Yao, D.D.: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems. Springer, New York (1994)

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  6. Little, J.D.C.: A proof of the queueing formula \(L = \lambda W\). Oper. Res. 9(3), 383–387 (1961)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. El-Taha, M., Stidham, S.: Sample-Path Analysis of Queueing Systems. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston (1999)

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  8. Whitt, W.: A review of \(L =\lambda W\) and extensions (correction note on \(L = \lambda W.\) Queueing Syst. 12(4), 1992, 431–432). Queueing Syst. Theory Appl. 9(3), 235–268 (1991)

  9. Whitt, W.: Minimizing delays in the GI/G/1 queue. Oper. Res. 32(1), 41–51 (1984)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  10. Bramson, M.: A stable queueing network with unstable fluid model. Ann. Appl. Probab. 9, 818–853 (1999)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  11. Shanthikumar, J.G., Yao, D.D.: Preservation of likelihood ratio ordering under convolution. Stoch. Process. Appl. 23, 259–267 (1986a)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  12. Shanthikumar, J.G., Yao, D.D.: The effect of increasing service rates in closed queueing networks. J. Appl. Probab. 23, 474–483 (1986b)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen, H., Yao, D.D.: Fundamentals of Queueing Networks: Performance, Asymptotics and Optimization. Springer, New York (2001)

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. Lu, S.H., Kumar, P.R.: Distributed scheduling based on due dates and buffer priorities. IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 36, 1406–1416 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Chen, H., Zhang, H.: Stability of multiclass queueing networks under priority service disciplines. Oper. Res. 48, 26–37 (2000)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  16. Dai, J.G.: A fluid-limit model criterion for instability of multiclass queueing networks. Ann. Appl. Probab. 6, 751–757 (1996)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Meyn, S.: Transience of multiclass queueing networks via fluid limit models. Ann. Appl. Probab. 5, 946–957 (1995)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  18. Kumar, P.R.: Re-entrant lines. Queueing Syst. Theory Appl. Spec. Issue Queueing Netw. 13(1–3), 87–110 (1993)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  19. Baskett, F., Chandy, K.M., Muntz, R.R., Palacios, R.G.: Open, closed and mixed networks of queues with different classes of customers. J. ACM 22, 248–260 (1975)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  20. Jackson, J.R.: Networks of waiting lines. Oper. Res. 5(4), 518–521 (1957)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  21. Jackson, J.R.: Jobshop-like queueing systems. Manag. Sci. 10, 518–521 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ross, S.: Stochastic Processes. Wiley, London (1996)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Hong Chen

  2. Faculty of Business, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

    Heng-Qing Ye

Authors
  1. Hong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heng-Qing Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hong Chen.

Additional information

This research was partially supported by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 71271131), the Academic Research Fund and the E-Business Center of National University of Singapore, and the Central Research Grant of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (G-YN82).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, H., Ye, HQ. An Examination of Some Factory Physics Principles. J. Oper. Res. Soc. China 4, 131–145 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40305-015-0115-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40305-015-0115-x

Keywords

Mathematics Subject Classification

Search

Navigation