What Is a buffer storage?

Buffer storage is required when the end of production in one manufacturing stage and the start of production in the next stage are not time-synchronized. Products or orders that wait between these stages form a queue. One common reason for this lack of alignment is varying production speeds between adjacent stages, particularly in batch production.

In job shop manufacturing, buffer storage may result from a specific order composition or sequence. In addition, non-continuous transport systems between stages can lead to buffer stocks when items need to be collected in transportable quantities before being moved. Unplanned downtimes in connected stages can also lead to the need for intermediate storage.