Title: A parametric approach to logistic control within manufacturing simulation

Authors: Richard Farr, James Tannock, Torgny Almgren

Addresses: Operations Management Division, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK. ' Operations Management Division, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK. ' Operations Planning and Logistics, Volvo Aero, Trollhättan 461 81, Sweden

Abstract: Effective logistic control can be a major factor in determining the competitiveness of a manufacturing operation. Successful strategies can increase productivity without requiring additional investment in personnel or machines, by targeting sources of waste such as when workpieces wait for production resources, and vice-versa. Simulation offers a way to investigate the performance of a manufacturing system under a variety of logistic control strategies, but the construction of factory models at the necessary level of detail is a time-consuming process that requires specialist skills. Using conventional simulation practices, the evaluation of each new logistic control strategy must be preceded by major modifications to a model. The authors describe a parametric approach to the representation of logistic concepts, reducing development effort by allowing a single model to be operated under a wide range of control methods. A case study is presented, detailing research undertaken at an aerospace manufacturing facility with the aim of reducing tied-up capital while maintaining or improving upon the proportion of on-time deliveries.

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 Corporation; industrial engineering; systems engineering; responsive manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2010.031963

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.313 - 326

Published online: 03 Mar 2010 *

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