Abstract

LOPEZ-SANCHEZ, Alicia Yesenia; GONZALEZ-LARA, Aida Lucina  and  ALCARAZ-CORONA, Sergio. Simulation-based optimization for the production of axes in assembly lines of a manufacturing company. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2019, vol.20, n.1. ISSN 2594-0732.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fi.25940732e.2019.20n1.005.

In this paper we present a simulation to analyze the production workflow observed at a local manufacturing company in order to generate a solution for one of its main problems which is failing to complete their products on time and satisfy customers’ demands. First, we defined the problem by identifying variables and parameters needed to build our simulation model and then we gathered historical data that were analyzed with the statistical software R to determine their statistical distributions. Finally, we implemented the simulator logic in a program developed in C# programming language from which we executed several experiments whose results helped us propose a solution so that racks could be delivered on time and reduce possible additional costs derived by either a lack of or excessive racks. We also found that as more racks come in, the machine idle and retention times get considerably low and based on the obtained results and the data provided by the company, it was determined that 55 racks per hour should be requested, that is, an average of five to six additional racks per week. Even though our model can help determine the number of racks that are necessary for a given time period, the problem at hand is not only concerned with rack inventory but also the pieces needed to build the axes, so it is expected to have this information in order to generate more detailed simulations which are closer to the real system.

Keywords : Simulation; production lines; software development; discrete models; manufacturing companies.

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