Performance evaluation of two-machines line with multiple up and down states and finite buffer capacity

An analytical model for evaluating the performance of two-machine continuous flow system with finite capacity buffer, multiple up and down states is proposed in this paper. The expression multiple up and down states means that each machine can assume various working states and non working states. The idea underlying the proposed model is the definition of the state of the system as the product of the states of the two machines. The model provides a way to analyze a wide range of two-machine systems, including for example systems with phase-type failure and repair time distributions, series/parallel machines and quality control machines. Moreover, the proposed two-machine line can be used as a building block for the analysis of larger systems.