Title: A discrete-event simulation approach to investigate order and production cycle times

Authors: Gökhan Eğilmez; Ridvan Gedik; David Reitz

Addresses: Department of Management, Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO, USA ' Amazon.Com, Inc., 410 Terry Ave N, Seattle 98109, WA, USA ' Matelex US, Tide Cleaners and Carrick Bend Capital and Gelstat Management, New Haven CT, USA

Abstract: This paper proposes a simulation approach to assist with capacity extension decisions and inventory control policy adoption issues observed in this growing industry. A novel discrete event simulation modelling approach was proposed to introduce the metal powder production process along with supplier and inventory management modules. Four simulation models were developed. A manufacturing plant located in CT was used as a case study, which has a high level of product mix and produces metal powders, metal bars, and paste to a large group of customers in North America, Europe, and Asia markets. Findings indicated that scenario 3 (simultaneous adoption of the proposed inventory control policy and assigning the capacity extension decision to the lower screening operations) reduced the order and production cycle times by 2 34% and 38 29%, respectively with a statistical significance of 0.01.

Keywords: discrete event simulation; DES; inventory control; reorder point; ROP; statistical analysis; metal powder production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2026.153749

International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation, 2026 Vol.17 No.3, pp.135 - 147

Accepted: 28 Jan 2024
Published online: 22 May 2026 *

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