A parametric approach to logistic control within manufacturing simulation

Farr, Richard; Tannock, James; Almgren, Torgny

Abstract

Simulation offers a powerful way to investigate the boundaries of what can be achieved by a manufacturing system, demonstrating the impact of schedules and policy decisions such as the placement of buffers and the size of safety stocks. Unfortunately, the construction of factory models at the necessary level of detail is a time-consuming process, requiring specialist skills.

This paper describes a novel approach to the representation of logistic control in the simulation of a business unit at Volvo Aero in Trollhättan, Sweden. Several innovative features were built into the model, making it possible for users who were not simulation experts to explore a broad range of scenarios. The resulting model architecture, as described in this paper, takes simulation out of the computer lab and places it in the hands of managers, as an enabler of the responsive enterprise.

Citation

Farr, R., Tannock, J., & Almgren, T. A parametric approach to logistic control within manufacturing simulation. International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 5(3), https://doi.org/10.1504/IJISE.2010.031963

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2014
• Journal: International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1748-5037
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-5037
• Publisher: Inderscience
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJISE.2010.031963
• Keywords: aerospace industry; kanban; logistic control; parametric simulation; competitiveness; productivity; waste reduction; workpieces; production resources; factory models; tied-up capital; on-time deliveries; just-in-time; JIT manufacturing; Sweden; Volvo Aero
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1026107
• Publisher URL: http://www.inderscience.com/offer.php?id=31963