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Dynamics of Two- and Three-Worker "Bucket Brigade" Production Lines

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

We describe all possible asymptotic behavior of "bucket brigade" production lines with two or three workers, each characterized by a constant work velocity. The results suggest wariness in interpreting simulation results. They also suggest a strategy for partitioning a workforce into effective teams to staff the lines.

Subject classifications: production/scheduling; line balancing; self-balancing bucket brigade lines; mathematics; fixed points; asymptotic behavior of bucket brigade lines.

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