Abstract: The workload problem, namely the buffer allocation problem (BAP), is complex, which exists in the open queuing network of customized equipment manufacturing enterprises with finite buffer. A queuing network model is proposed for a three-stage flexible flow shop where every stage has a finite buffer. To solve this queuing network model, a decomposition of state space method is proposed. With solving the state space equations, a series of system performance values are obtained. To test the validity of this method proposed, a simulation experiment is designed and an extended method is used to solve the problem respectively. By comparing the results solved by this three methods, the decomposition of state space method has proved rational, which will provide guidance and reference for the design and schedule of workload control in the large-scale flow shop with multistage and multiservice in each stage.

Key words:  customized manufacturing, flexible flow shop(FFS), buffer allocation problem (BAP), decomposition of state space, expansion method