scholarly journals The application of a hybrid simulation modelling framework as a decision-making tool for TPM improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omogbai Oleghe ◽  
Konstantinos Salonitis
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Hybrid Model ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Hybrid Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
Field Notes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to promote a system dynamics-discrete event simulation (SD-DES) hybrid modelling framework, one that is useful for investigating problems comprising multifaceted elements which interact and evolve over time, such as is found in TPM. Design/methodology/approach The hybrid modelling framework commences with system observation using field notes which culminate in model conceptualization to structure the problem. Thereafter, an SD-DEShybrid model is designed for the system, and simulated to proffer improvement programmes. The hybrid model emphasises the interactions between key constructs relating to the system, feedback structures and process flow concepts that are the hallmarks of many problems in production. The modelling framework is applied to the TPM operations of a bottling plant where sub-optimal TPM performance was affecting throughput performance. Findings Simulation results for the case study show that intangible human factors such as worker motivation do not significantly affect TPM performance. What is most critical is ensuring full compliance to routine and scheduled maintenance tasks and coordinating the latter to align with rate of machine defect creation. Research limitations/implications The framework was developed with completeness, generality and reuse in view. It remains to be applied to a wide variety of TPM and non-TPM-related problems. Practical implications The developed hybrid model is scalable and can fit into an existing discrete event simulation model of a production system. The case study findings indicate where TPM managers should focus their efforts. Originality/value The investigation of TPM using SD-DES hybrid modelling is a novelty.

scholarly journals SELECTED ASPECTS OF SIMULATION MODELLING OF INTERNAL TRANSPORT PROCESSES PERFORMED AT LOGISTICS FACILITIES

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Karkula
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Cross Docking ◽  
The Right ◽  
Internal Transport

The transport is an important part of logistic systems. Improper management of transport operations may contribute to the low level of the usage of vehicles and to high transport costs, as well as to the formation of unnecessary high inventory at each location of storage, as well as prolonged time of order realization and not full use of company capacity. It is therefore important the appropriate dimensioning, planning of the transport system and performed transport operations so as to allow the supply of certain goods at the right time and the amount to the appropriate points of the system. The article presents the methods of transport operations modelling, taking into account different criteria based on discrete event simulation. In the article the case study of modelling transport operations in the small cross-docking centre is also presented

Discrete event simulation: a vital tool for a concurrent life cycle design

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha M. Hassan ◽  
Talal Al Maazmi ◽  
Ali Al Hadhrami ◽  
Mohamed Al Hosani
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
End User ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Life Cycle Design

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine whether discrete event simulation (DES) can be equally utilised in the design phase of the architecture, engineering and construction industry (AEC) projects to achieve a more efficient facility layout. Facility design is a complex process involving diverse disciplines, tasks, tools and events. Integrating key participants involved in the design generally leads to a more satisfied end-user. The AEC thoroughly examined different approaches to enhance this integration through improved communication, visualisation and coordination among the different project participants. DES has been used extensively as a tool for analysis and evaluation, especially during the construction process. Design/methodology/approach – A facility planning framework is illustrated that combines both qualitative and quantitative analysis to achieve a performance-driven design. An investigative qualitative research approach is used to determine the design criteria and performance metrics based on the end-user and authority requirements. This approach is achieved by conducting critical reviews, surveys, focus groups and interviews. The research findings and collected data are used to perform a quantitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of the proposed design if constructed using DES. The potential of the method is shown through a case study to design a mall parking facility. Findings – The case study illustrated the capability of DES to improve construction design by comparing the artificially designed facility following the proposed framework to an existing facility. Increasing customer satisfaction by enhancing safety, minimising waiting time and maximising parking spot availability were the performance metrics used to evaluate the designs. DES was used as a tool to measure these criteria. Utilising DES in facility design increased resource utilisation and resulted in a safer layout that satisfied the end-user, client and authority requirements. Originality/value – Previous studies focused on integrating other modules such as energy, HVAC, lighting, acoustics and life cycle analysis to achieve a performance-driven design. The overwhelming majority of the literature focused on the use of DES for improving construction operations. Research literature about integrating DES as a tool for concurrent life cycle design was scarce. This research demonstrated that DES is an effective method and a vital key for determining the facility’s operational efficiency after construction.

scholarly journals Optimizing real-world factory flows using aggregated discrete event simulation modelling

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 888-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Lidberg ◽  
Tehseen Aslam ◽  
Leif Pehrsson ◽  
Amos H. C. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Real World ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Industrial Systems ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Batch Sizes ◽  
Industrial Problem

AbstractReacting quickly to changing market demands and new variants by improving and adapting industrial systems is an important business advantage. Changes to systems are costly; especially when those systems are already in place. Resources invested should be targeted so that the results of the improvements are maximized. One method allowing this is the combination of discrete event simulation, aggregated models, multi-objective optimization, and data-mining shown in this article. A real-world optimization case study of an industrial problem is conducted resulting in lowering the storage levels, reducing lead time, and lowering batch sizes, showing the potential of optimizing on the factory level. Furthermore, a base for decision-support is presented, generating clusters from the optimization results. These clusters are then used as targets for a decision tree algorithm, creating rules for reaching different solutions for a decision-maker to choose from. Thereby allowing decisions to be driven by data, and not by intuition.

Supporting process improvements with process mapping and system dynamics

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 1255-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Bowles ◽  
Lorraine R. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Process Improvement ◽  
Simulation Modeling ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Process Mapping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Event Simulation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of combining process mapping and system dynamics (SD) in an organization’s ongoing business process improvement projects. Design/methodology/approach Norfield Industries, designer and manufacturer of prehung door machinery, used process mapping and SD in a project targeting the improvement of its design document control process. The project team first used process mapping to document its current process and identify potential improvements. The team then developed an SD model to investigate the potential impacts of proposed process changes. Findings The case study supports the communication and transparency benefits of process mapping reported in earlier studies. Consistent with other case studies using simulation, SD provided useful insights into possible results of proposed process changes. Research limitations/implications The findings have limitations with respect to generalizability consistent with the use of a case study methodology. Practical implications Organizational managers desiring to include simulation modeling in process improvement efforts have a choice between discrete event simulation and SD. SD may prove able to consume less organizational resources than discrete-event simulation and provide similar benefits related to reducing the risks associated with process changes. Originality/value The current case study adds to the existing literature documenting the use of process mapping combined with simulation modeling in process improvement efforts. The case study supports existing literature regarding the value of process mapping in making system processes more transparent. The results also support previous findings regarding the value of SD for simulating the possible results associated with scenarios under consideration for process improvements.

scholarly journals Measuring lean implementation for maintenance service companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan J. de Jong ◽  
Wouter W.A. Beelaerts van Blokland
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Lean Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Maintenance Service

Purpose – Implementation of lean manufacturing is currently performed in the production industry; however, for the airline maintenance service industry, it is still in its infancy. Indicators such as work in process, cycle time, on-time performance and inventory are useful indicators to measure lean implementation; however, a financial economic perspective taking fixed assets into consideration is still missing. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose a method to measure lean implementation from a fixed asset perspective for this type of industry. With the indicators, continuous improvement scenarios can be explored by value stream discrete event simulation. Design/methodology/approach – From literature, indicators regarding asset specificity to measure lean implementation are found. These indicators are analysed by a linear least square method to know if variables are interrelated to form a preliminary model. The indicators are tested by value stream-based discrete event simulation regarding continuous improvement scenarios. Findings – With the new found lean transaction cost efficiency indicators, namely, turnover, gross margin and inventory pre-fixed asset (T/FA, GM/FA and I/FA, respectively), it is possible to measure operation performance from an asset specificity perspective under the influence of lean implementation. Secondly, the results of implementing continuous improvement scenarios are measured with the new indicators by a discrete event simulation. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the airline maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service industry regarding component repair. Further research is necessary to test the indicators regarding other airline MRO service companies and other sectors of complex service industries like health care. Practical implications – The lean transaction cost efficiency model provides the capability for a maintenance service company to simulate the effects of process improvements on operation performance for service-based companies prior to implementation. Social/implications – Simulation of a Greenfield process can involve employees with possible changes in processes. This approach supports the adoption of anticipated changes. Originality/value – The found indicators form a preliminary model, which contributes to the usage and linkage of theories on lean manufacturing and transaction cost theory – asset specificity.

Improving outpatient phlebotomy service efficiency and patient experience using discrete-event simulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 733-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Yip ◽  
Suk-King Pang ◽  
Kui-Tim Chan ◽  
Chi-Kuen Chan ◽  
Tsz-Leung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Scenario Analysis ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Service Efficiency ◽  
Related Service ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation modeling application to reconfigure the outpatient phlebotomy service of an acute regional and teaching hospital in Hong Kong, with an aim to improve service efficiency, shorten patient queuing time and enhance workforce utilization. Design/methodology/approach – The system was modeled as an inhomogeneous Poisson process and a discrete-event simulation model was developed to simulate the current setting, and to evaluate how various performance metrics would change if switched from a decentralized to a centralized model. Variations were then made to the model to test different workforce arrangements for the centralized service, so that managers could decide on the service’s final configuration via an evidence-based and data-driven approach. Findings – This paper provides empirical insights about the relationship between staffing arrangement and system performance via a detailed scenario analysis. One particular staffing scenario was chosen by manages as it was considered to strike the best balance between performance and workforce scheduled. The resulting centralized phlebotomy service was successfully commissioned. Practical implications – This paper demonstrates how analytics could be used for operational planning at the hospital level. The authors show that a transparent and evidence-based scenario analysis, made available through analytics and simulation, greatly facilitates management and clinical stakeholders to arrive at the ideal service configuration. Originality/value – The authors provide a robust method in evaluating the relationship between workforce investment, queuing reduction and workforce utilization, which is crucial for managers when deciding the delivery model for any outpatient-related service.

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