Simulation of an apparel assembly cell with walking workers and decouplers

Abstract In the apparel industry, cells for manufacturing and assembly are called modules. A simulation model has been developed to study the behavior of a unique module that employed five multifunctional, walking workers and 13 sewing stations with great variations in processing times. Cells are the major components in integrated pull manufacturing systems (IPMSs). IPMSs are the designs for the factories with a future.