Performance Evaluation in Steel Manufacturing: a Case Study with Simulation

This paper discusses a simulation study of cyclic production systems with a travelling crane. The scope of the system covers the tipping stands of the hot iron into foundry ladle, stands of desulphurization and stands of converters. Therefore, the first aim of this study is the development of a discrete-event simulation model in a steel industry case, and a simulation software Witness is used for the treatment. In the second part of the study, other scenarios are proposed for the extension of this system. Stocks and/or machines will be added, which will give a new dimension to the problem. These scenarios will then be modelled and evaluated to determine the best alternatives and/or enhancements. Then, some numerical results are presented and discussed. Finally, the paper is concluded with some recommendations.