Simplification and aggregation strategies applied for factory analysis in conceptual phase using simulation

  • Authors:
  • Matías Urenda Moris;Amos H. C. Ng;Jacob Svensson

  • Affiliations:
  • University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden;University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden;University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 40th Conference on Winter Simulation
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

Despite that simulation possesses an establish background and offers tremendous promise for designing and analyzing complex production systems, manufacturing industry has been less successful in using it as a decision support tool, especially in the conceptual phase of factory design. This paper presents how simplification and aggregation strategies are incorporated in a modeling, simulation and analysis tool, with the aim of supporting decision making in conceptual phase. Conceptual modeling is guided by a framework using an object library with generic drag and drop system components and system control objects. Data inputs are simplified by the use of Effective Process Time distributions and a novel aggregation method for product mix cycle time differences. The out coming specification is through a Web Service interface handle by modeling system architecture, automatically generating a simulation model and analysis. Case studies confirm a breakthrough in project time reduction without appreciable effects on the model's fidelity.