Kose, Simge YelkenciDemir, LeylaTunali, SemraEliiyi Türsel, Deniz2023-06-162023-06-1620150305-215X1029-0273https://doi.org/10.1080/0305215X.2013.875166https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14365/1611In manufacturing systems, optimal buffer allocation has a considerable impact on capacity improvement. This study presents a simulation optimization procedure to solve the buffer allocation problem in a heat exchanger production plant so as to improve the capacity of the system. For optimization, three metaheuristic-based search algorithms, i.e. a binary-genetic algorithm (B-GA), a binary-simulated annealing algorithm (B-SA) and a binary-tabu search algorithm (B-TS), are proposed. These algorithms are integrated with the simulation model of the production line. The simulation model, which captures the stochastic and dynamic nature of the production line, is used as an evaluation function for the proposed metaheuristics. The experimental study with benchmark problem instances from the literature and the real-life problem show that the proposed B-TS algorithm outperforms B-GA and B-SA in terms of solution quality.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessbuffer allocation problemsimulated annealinggenetic algorithmstabu searchsimulation optimizationBuffer Allocation ProblemUnreliable Production LinesReliable Production LinesSerial Production LinesTabu Search ApproachAssembly SystemsSelecting MachinesQueuing-NetworksAlgorithmPerformanceArticle10.1080/0305215X.2013.8751662-s2.0-84924272297