Title: Development and application of a simulation model for throughput improvement in the melting shop of a steel plant

Authors: S. Nandagawe, S.P. Sarmah

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India

Abstract: This paper discusses the use of a simulation model to improve the throughput in the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) of a steel plant located in the eastern part of India. The simulation model developed was first validated to confirm that it represents the system in reality. This valid model is then used to identify bottlenecks in the system. Results from the simulation study identified that in the present working system, the set-up time due to grade change at Continuous Casting Machines (CCMs) acts as a bottleneck in the SMS. Further, through simulation study, optimum casting plan horizon is identified.

Keywords: simulation; throughput improvement; steel plant; bottlenecks; delay; India; set-up times; continuous casting machines; casting plan horizon.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2009.026538

International Journal of Operational Research, 2009 Vol.6 No.2, pp.267 - 281

Published online: 19 Jun 2009 *

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