The most important models and results of the manufacturing flow line literature are described. These include the major classes of models (asynchronous, synchronous, and continuous); the major features (blocking, processing times, failures and repairs); the major properties (conservation of flow, flow rate-idle time, reversibility, and others); and the relationships among different models. Exact and approximate methods for obtaining quantitative measures of performance are also reviewed. The exact methods are appropriate for small systems. The approximate methods, which are the only means available for large systems, are generally based on decomposition, and make use of the exact methods for small systems. Extensions are briefly discussed. Directions for future research are suggested.

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This paper presents an efficient method for evaluating performance measures for a class of tandem queueing systems with finite buffers in which blocking and starvation are important. These systems are difficult to evaluate because they have large state spaces and because they cannot be decomposed exactly. The approximate decomposition approach we describe is based on system characteristics such as conservation of flow. Comparisons with exact and simulation results indicate that the approach is very accurate.

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