Optimum number of Kanbans between two adjacent stations

A model and solution strategies are developed for determining the optimum number of Kanbans between two adjacent workstations. The total cost is expressed as a function of the number of Kanbans, and the parameters, shortage cost of materials and holding cost of containers. Since the number of Kanbans obtained has to be an integer, an incremental search procedure is used, which leads to the construction of a strong bound on the optimal number of Kanbans required.