Efficiency Improvement of a Transfer Line via Simulation

This paper describes a computer simulation procedure for improving the efficiency of an existing multi product transfer line. This transfer line consists of 3 independent stages and behind each stage buffer stocks and in-process stocks can be built up.The computer program simulates a production program for a given period of time and takes into account changeover, toolchange and maintenance characteristics. Historical failure statistics are incorporated. The simulation program allows the evaluation of alternative strategies, e.g. the influence of the in-process inventory, the influence of a tighter preventive maintenance scheme, etc. The associated costs can be computed for capital budgeting decisions and appropriate strategies are derived.Besides a description of the transfer line planning problem, a description of the program and its parameters is provided. The validation of the simulation tool is based upon actual policies and actual data.