THE IMPACT OF INTELLIGENT TOOLS ON SIMULATION METHODOLOGY

Simulation is one of the most effective techniques for analyzing stochastic systems. Recent computer software and hardware advances have had an important impact on the traditional discrete-event simulation methodology. Intelligent simulation environments consisting of integrated sets of “intelligent” tools for performing simulation studies have emerged. These tools significantly impact the methodology of a simulation analysis. This paper defines these intelligent tools and discusses how they alter the simulation paradigm by illustrating the development of a simulation model using an intelligent simulation environment. Special emphasis is on how an intelligent simulation environment provides a responsive analysis technique for studying manufacturing systems.

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Analysis of the Influence of Standard Time Variability on the Reliability of the Simulation of Assembly Operations in Manufacturing Systems

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720819829596 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 627-641

Author(s):

Rafaela Heloisa Carvalho Machado ◽

André Luis Helleno ◽

Maria Célia de Oliveira ◽

Mário Sérgio Corrêa dos Santos ◽

Renan Meireles da Costa Dias

Keyword(s):

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Data Availability ◽

Time Variability ◽

Actual Process ◽

Standard Time ◽

Real Process ◽

Assembly Operations ◽

The Impact ◽

Line Design

Objective: The aim of this article is to analyze the influence of the variability of the standard time in the simulation of the assembly operations of manufacturing systems. Background: Discrete event simulation (DES) has been used to provide efficient analysis during the design of a process or scenario. However, the modeling activities of new configurations face the problem of data availability and reliability when it comes to seeking standard times that are effective in representing the actual process under analysis, especially when the process cannot be monitored. Method: The methods-time measurement (MTM) is used as a source of standard times for simulation. Assembly activities were performed at a Learning Factory facility, which provided the necessary structure for simulating real production processes. Simulation performances using different variability of standard times were analyzed to define the impact of data characteristics. Results: The MTM standard time presented an error of approximately 5%. The definition of the data variability of standard times and the statistical distribution impacts were shown in the simulation results, with errors above 6% being observed, interfering with the model reliability. Conclusion: Based on the study, to increase the adherence of a simulation to represent a real process, it is recommended to use triangular distributions with central values greater than those established via the MTM for the representation of the standard times of new assembly processes or scenarios using DES. Application: The study contributions can be applied in assembly line design, providing a reliable model representing real processes and scenarios.

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A Methodology to Evaluate Complex Manufacturing Systems through Discrete-Event Simulation Models

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.502.7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 502 ◽

pp. 7-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L.P. Ferreira ◽

E. Ares ◽

G. Peláez ◽

M. Marcos ◽

M. Araújo

Keyword(s):

Discrete Event Simulation ◽

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Network Configuration ◽

Event Simulation ◽

Automobile Assembly ◽

Loop Network ◽

Complex Manufacturing Systems ◽

The Impact

This paper proposes a methodology to analyze complex manufacturing systems, based on discrete-event simulation models. The methodology was validated by performing different simulation experiments and will be applied to a multistage multiproduct production line, based on a real case, with a closed-loop network configuration of machines and intermediate buffers consisting of conveyors, which is very common in the automobile sector. A simulation model in an Arena environment was developed, which allowed for an analysis of the important aspects not yet studied in specialized literature, namely the assessment of the impact of the production sequence on the automobile assembly line. Various sequence rules were analyzed and the performance of each of the corresponding simulation models was registered.

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Decision Support Model for Production Disturbance Estimation

International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making ◽

10.1142/s0219622014500576 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 13 (03) ◽

pp. 623-647 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ioan Felea ◽

Simona Dzitac ◽

Tiberiu Vesselenyi ◽

Ioan Dzitac

Keyword(s):

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Decision Support Model ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Dynamic Evaluation ◽

Stochastic Fluid Models ◽

Infinitesimal Disturbance ◽

Quality Of Products ◽

The Impact

A current modeling framework for disturbance in manufacturing systems (MS) is given by concepts like discrete-event systems, stochastic fluid models and infinitesimal disturbance analysis. The goal of modeling is to achieve control and structural and functional optimization of MS. Objective functions of these optimization models are focused on quantities which reflect the level of reliability, the level of manufactured products, the quality of products or the impact on the environment of MS with disturbances. These models do not allow a dynamic evaluation of consequences of the disturbances which appears in the operation of MS machines and also do not allow an evaluation of the evolution in time of disturbance consequence indicators. Disturbances in technological lines of MS represent local bottlenecks of production with severe economic consequences in what regards production time losses. Good estimation of disturbances dynamics can be very helpful to both technological line designers, who can optimize their projects and production managers who can minimize their losses. Our model allows a dynamic evaluation of consequences of some disturbance of machine operation in MS, using indicators based on time, energy and costs. A MATLAB software package was developed for tests.

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Simulation analysis of the impact of ignitions, rekindles, and false alarms on forest fire suppression

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2013-0257 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 45-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Abílio P. Pacheco ◽

João Claro ◽

Tiago Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Forest Fire ◽

Fire Management ◽

Simulation Analysis ◽

Fire Suppression ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Fire Season ◽

False Alarms ◽

Forest Fire Management ◽

The Impact

Rekindles and false alarms are phenomena that have a significant presence in the Portuguese forest fire management system and an important impact on suppression resources in particular and fire management resources in general. In this paper, we propose a discrete-event simulation model of a forest fire suppression system designed to analyze the joint impact of ignitions, rekindles, and false alarms on the performance of the system. The model is applied to a case study of the district of Porto, Portugal, for the critical period of the forest fire season, between July and September 2010. We study the behavior of the system’s point of collapse, comparing the real base scenario with a benchmark scenario built with reference values for rekindles and false alarms, and also as a function of the number of fire incidents, considering historical variations. The results of the analysis are useful for operational decision-making and provide relevant information on the trade-off between prevention and suppression efforts.

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An intelligent simulation environment for manufacturing systems

Computers & Industrial Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.cie.2014.06.013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 76 ◽

pp. 148-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Nancy Ruiz ◽

Adriana Giret ◽

Vicente Botti ◽

Victor Feria

Keyword(s):

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Simulation Environment ◽

Intelligent Simulation

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Resource Allocation and Job Dispatching for Unreliable Flexible Flow Shop Manufacturing System

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.445.947 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 445 ◽

pp. 947-952

Author(s):

Umar M. Al-Turki ◽

Haitham Saleh ◽

Tamer Deyab ◽

Yasser Almoghathawi

Keyword(s):

Resource Allocation ◽

Production Scheduling ◽

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Stochastic Systems ◽

Flow Shop ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Batch Size ◽

Objective Functions ◽

Flexible Flow Shop

Resource allocation, product batching and production scheduling are three different problems in manufacturing systems of different structures such as flexible flow shop manufacturing systems. These problems are usually dealt with independently for a certain objective function related to production efficiency and effectiveness. Handling all of them in an integrated manner is a challenge facing many manufacturing systems in practice and that challenge increases for highly complicated and stochastic systems. Random arrival of products, machine setup time requirements, unexpected machine breakdowns, and multiple conflicting objective functions are some of the common complications in such systems. This research attempts to study the integrated problem under the mentioned complications with various objective functions. The decisions parameters are the batch size, the number of machines at each workstation, and the dispatching policy. Discrete event simulation is used as an optimization tools. The system is modeled using the ARENA software and different scenarios are tested for optimum parameter selection under different conditions.

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Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Inter-Line Conveyor Capacity for Throughput of Manufacturing Systems

International Journal of Manufacturing Materials and Mechanical Engineering ◽

10.4018/ijmmme.2021010101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Priyanka Raosaheb Dhurpate ◽

Herman Tang

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Discrete Event ◽

New Approach ◽

Event Simulation ◽

System A ◽

Automotive Assembly ◽

Random Failure ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study is to identify the impact of an inter-line conveyor on the throughput performance of manufacturing systems and determine the capacity of an inter-line conveyor to improvise productivity. First, manufacturing system for an automotive assembly line is modeled by adopting the methodology of two lines with an inter-line conveyor system. A quantitative analysis of an inter-line conveyor capacity is carried out under different conditions and capacities using discrete event simulation (DES). The initial results are obtained to justify the purpose of an inter-line conveyor followed by introducing a random failure of a station for the duration of 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and catastrophic breakdown of two hours at upstream and downstream line separately. The case study outcomes show that, 20 unit is an optimum capacity resulting in improved productivity. The findings of the different stoppage and catastrophic breakdown study show the buffering of an inter-line conveyor may serve as a new approach and guideline to the buffer stack design and scheduling maintenance.

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Robust Engineering for the Design of Resilient Manufacturing Systems

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11073067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 3067

Author(s):

Dimitris Mourtzis ◽

John Angelopoulos ◽

Nikos Panopoulos

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Manufacturing Systems ◽

Manufacturing System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Research Work ◽

Real Data ◽

Potential System ◽

The Individual ◽

The Impact

As the industrial requirements change rapidly due to the drastic evolution of technology, the necessity of quickly investigating potential system alternatives towards a more efficient manufacturing system design arises more intensely than ever. Production system simulation has proven to be a powerful tool for designing and evaluating a manufacturing system due to its low cost, quick analysis, low risk and meaningful insight that it may provide, improving the understanding of the influence of each component. In this research work, the design and evaluation of a real manufacturing system using Discrete Event Simulation (DES), based on real data obtained from the copper industry is presented. The current production system is modelled, and the real production data are analyzed and connected. The impact identification of the individual parameters on the response of the system is accomplished towards the selection of the proper configurations for near-optimum outcome. Further to that, different simulation scenarios based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) are studied towards the optimization of the production, under predefined product analogies.

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Computer simulation study about the dependence of amorphous silicon photonic waveguides efficiency on the material quality

The European Physical Journal Applied Physics ◽

10.1051/epjap/2020190250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 30502

Author(s):

Alessandro Fantoni ◽

João Costa ◽

Paulo Lourenço ◽

Manuela Vieira

Keyword(s):

Amorphous Silicon ◽

High Throughput Screening ◽

Simulation Analysis ◽

Low Cost ◽

Deposition Process ◽

Large Area ◽

Sidewall Roughness ◽

Sensing Applications ◽

Fabrication Defects ◽

The Impact

Amorphous silicon PECVD photonic integrated devices are promising candidates for low cost sensing applications. This manuscript reports a simulation analysis about the impact on the overall efficiency caused by the lithography imperfections in the deposition process. The tolerance to the fabrication defects of a photonic sensor based on surface plasmonic resonance is analysed. The simulations are performed with FDTD and BPM algorithms. The device is a plasmonic interferometer composed by an a-Si:H waveguide covered by a thin gold layer. The sensing analysis is performed by equally splitting the input light into two arms, allowing the sensor to be calibrated by its reference arm. Two different 1 × 2 power splitter configurations are presented: a directional coupler and a multimode interference splitter. The waveguide sidewall roughness is considered as the major negative effect caused by deposition imperfections. The simulation results show that plasmonic effects can be excited in the interferometric waveguide structure, allowing a sensing device with enough sensitivity to support the functioning of a bio sensor for high throughput screening. In addition, the good tolerance to the waveguide wall roughness, points out the PECVD deposition technique as reliable method for the overall sensor system to be produced in a low-cost system. The large area deposition of photonics structures, allowed by the PECVD method, can be explored to design a multiplexed system for analysis of multiple biomarkers to further increase the tolerance to fabrication defects.

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