Buffer

A buffer is a temporary store where the output of one process is held until it is required as the input to a successor process. Buffers include boxes, store room, conveyor, roller-rack. Even a pile on the floor.

Buffers represent inefficiency and have problems including:

Cost of storage space and equipment
Cost of handling items, moving them in and out of store
Cost of managing the store
Increase in working capital tied up in incomplete goods
Risk of damage to items in buffer
Risk of loss of items
Risk of defects in item not being found by successor process until later
Difficulty in changing lines in flexible manufacturing (delay in clearing the line)

Reduction of buffers is a key activity for Lean manufacturing where methods such as Kanban and Heijunka are used.

Buffer

See also: