Title: Application of value stream mapping and simulation for the design of lean manufacturing systems: a case study

Authors: G. Anand, Rambabu Kodali

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Group, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – 333 031, Rajasthan, India. ' Mechanical Engineering Group, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – 333 031, Rajasthan, India

Abstract: Many organisations both in India and abroad are implementing Lean Manufacturing (LM), but only a few companies have achieved a significant competitive advantage over other organisations. One of the reasons for this can be attributed to the lack of understanding by the managers regarding |what changes will happen in an organisation, when it gets transformed by the principles and practices of LM ?| Even though LM tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM) can act as a blueprint for transformation, it suffers from various shortcomings. Hence, researchers suggested that simulation can be used in conjunction with VSM. However, a related literature review revealed that there are not many studies that deal with simulation and implementation of multiple LM elements in a time- and temperature-dependent batch manufacturing environment. Hence, in this paper, an attempt has been made to fill this gap, thereby providing a detailed application of modelling and simulation techniques beyond |traditional| manufacturing.

Keywords: LMS; lean manufacturing systems; simulation; VSM; value stream mapping; performance measures; modelling; batch manufacturing; friction material; waste elimination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2009.031094

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2009 Vol.5 No.3, pp.192 - 204

Published online: 20 Jan 2010 *

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