Development And Use Of A Generic AS/RS Sizing Simulation Model

As usage of simulation analyses becomes steadily more important in the design, operation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems (and historically, manufacturing was the sector of the economy first eagerly embracing simulation technology), the incentive to construct generic simulation models amenable to repeated application increases. Such generic models not only make individual simulation studies faster, more reliable, and less expensive, but also help extend awareness of simulation and its capabilities to a wider audience of manufacturing personnel such as shift supervisors, production engineers, and in-plant logistics managers. In the present study, simulation consultants and client manufacturing personnel worked jointly to develop a generic simulation model to assess inline storage and retrieval requirements just upstream of typical vehicle final assembly operations, such as adding fluids, installing seats, emplacing the instrument panel, and mounting the tires. Such a final assembly line receives vehicles from the paint line. The generic model permits assessment of both in-line vehicle storage [ILVS] requirements and AS/RS [automatic storage/retrieval system] configuration and performance when designing or reconfiguring vehicle paint and/or final assembly lines. The AS/RS is the physical implementation of the ILVS. These assessments, at the user’s option, are based upon current production conditions and anticipated future body and paint complexities.