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If the batch size is so small, that the process step with the set-up time (assuming, that there is only one) becomes the bottleneck of the process, the process looses on overall efficiency. Thus, the batch size needs to be chosen in a way that assures, that it will not generate a new bottleneck. If, however, the batch size is too big, any increase in capacity at the station with the set-up time (assuming, again, that there is only one) is ultimately of no use, because it will only lead to inventory piling up somewhere else in the process – wherever the bottleneck may be.

This goes to show, that the ideal batch size is one, in which the station with the set-up time has a processing time which is just identical to the process bottleneck. Only then will the batch size not lead to the creation of a new bottleneck or additional inventory pile-up. This is calculated as:

capacity determined by the batch size = capacity of the bottleneck


b / (s + b * p) = m / p


with:

b = batch size
s = set-up time
p = processing time
m = number of resources



These lecture notes were taken during 2013 installment of the MOOC “An Introduction to Operations Management” taught by Prof. Dr. Christian Terwiesch of the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania at Coursera.org.