SIMULATION: Transactions of The Society for Modeling and Simulation International

Guasch, Toni; Piera, Miquel Angel

doi: 10.1177/0037549705060790pmid: N/A

Riera, Daniel; Narciso, Mercedes; Benqlilou, Chouaib

doi: 10.1177/0037549705061649pmid: N/A

This article presents an optimization methodology of batch production processes assembled by shared resources that rely on a mapping of state events into time events, allowing in this way the straightforward use of well-consolidated scheduling policies developed for manufacturing systems. A technique to generate the timed Petri net representation from a continuous dynamic representation (DAE systems) of the production system is presented together with the main characteristics of a Petri nets-based tool implemented for optimization purposes. This article describes also how the implemented tool generates the coverability tree and how it can be pruned by a general-purpose heuristic. An example of a distillation process with two shared batch resources is used to illustrate the proposed optimization methodology.

Moon, Dug Hee; Kim, Ha Seok; Song, Cheng

doi: 10.1177/0037549704047604pmid: N/A

This article outlines a simulation study relating to the design and the implementation of color rescheduling storage (CRS) in an automotive factory. In a painting shop, the colors of vehicles are changed frequently according to the assembly schedule. When the color of a vehicle is changed, the cleaning process of the painting gun is necessary, which generates a cost. The major objective of CRS is to reduce the changeover cost in the painting process by grouping vehicles with the same color. In this article, a case study of CRS in an automotive factory is presented. The procedure for designing CRS is explained, and the storage/retrieval algorithms are suggested. The proposed system is verified using simulation models, and comparisons among alternatives are examined to determine the best design. The authors also investigate the effect of color distribution on the system performance measures.

Williams, Edward J.; VanBelle, Ryan

doi: 10.1177/0037549704047605pmid: N/A

The bastion of simulation application has long been the manufacturing industry. In particular, the major corporations within the automotive industry, which is highly complex, multiply tiered, and a significant component of the manufacturing economic sector in both North America and Europe, have repeatedly, aggressively, and profitably applied simulation to the investigation and improvement of production systems. However, many of the smaller companies supplying components to motor vehicle manufacturers have had greater difficulty accessing and applying simulation technology. This difficulty, in the experience of the first author, is typically due to high initial costs, political inertia among managers, or both. In this case study, the authors examine the introduction and use of discrete process simulation into an automotive component supplier for the examination of various plausible scenarios whose effects production engineers and their management wished to anticipate.

Bruzzone, Agostino G.; Mosca, Roberto; Revetria, Roberto; Bocca, Enrico; Briano, Enrico

doi: 10.1177/0037549704047602pmid: N/A

The authors outline a new modeling methodology designed to simulate a complex logistics network and to ensure interoperability through application of Intelligent Agent High-Level Architecture for distributed supply chain management.

Sadoun, Balqies

doi: 10.1177/0037549704047603pmid: N/A

Many urban areas and states are facing an increase in population density and the industrial base, creating traffic congestion and jams at toll plazas on major highways during rush hours. This article provides a detailed study and analysis of the performance evaluation of a toll plaza using discrete event simulation modeling. Under a given time-dependent traffic flow and a set of specified model parameters, the required optimal number of tollbooths and the resulting mean delay can be estimated with the discrete event simulation model. The results show that a toll plaza that has a shorter delay under light load conditions is more sensitive to variations in service type and the number of toll plazas. The results show that the performance of toll plazas improves as the number of tollbooths increases because less time is spent in queue.