Record Details
Design, construction, and evaluation of a mechanical queueing simulator
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Design, construction, and evaluation of a mechanical queueing simulator |
| Names |
Moose, Victor Corson
(creator) Riggs, James L. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1966-02-10 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1966 |
| Abstract | A machine capable of demonstrating and solving queueing problems is useful to any systems engineer. This paper describes a successful queueing simulator constructed from readily available materials. The machine is easy to operate, portable, and simple enough to be built in any well equipped machine shop. The educational values of a queueing simulator are unlimited. For this reason the paper was oriented towards classroom applications. Example problems present ample opportunity to compare theoretical and simulator solutions. Although constant, normal, and Poisson distributions are illustrated, any arrival or service pattern is acceptable. More realistic answers are obtained for many problems because arrival and service rates can be correlated to queue length. Single-server, multi-server, and multi-stage queues can be analyzed. This versatility aids conceptual realization required for system modifications. From the data available, simulator and theoretical solutions compare reasonably well. When making an industrial waiting line study a number of proposals must be investigated. By comparing them on the simulator the most economical one can usually be chosen. Thus, in addition to being an educational aid, the simulator is a practical problem solving device. Principles of operation are visually displayed by schematics of the electrical and mechanical systems. Queue length is determined by the number of one-quarter inch steel balls waiting for service from holes punched in a tape, The number and spacing of the tape holes represents the desired mathematical distribution. Tape speeds are controlled by varying the voltages applied to 12 volt motors. Total material cost amounted to $200, External power is supplied by 110 volt AC current. A step by step operating procedure is included as a guide for the operator. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Queuing theory |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/48006 |
