Simulation of a rotating track production line

Abstract

This paper describes the use of simulation in plan ning a production line. Simulation allows the mani pulation of critical factors that determine the effi ciency of the line. The model requires some special techniques such as inverting the roles of the elements and advancing the track in irregular steps to decrease simulation time while retaining proper synchroniza tion. For part of the analysis the model simplifies the behavior of the machines by disregarding accidents, which facilitates finding the optimal values of the controllable parameters. More accurate measures of line efficiency would require the inclusion of the neglected factors. Model validation required the calibration of fixed mechanical parameters so that simulation results could be checked against the theo retical productivity of the line as it was simulated. Proper starting and ending conditions are defined.