An aggregation procedure for simulating manufacturing flow line models

We develop a formal method for specifying an aggregate discrete-event simulation model of a production flow line manufacturing system. The methodology operates by aggregating production stations or resources of a flow line. Determining the specifications for representing the aggregated resources in a simulation model is the focus of our presentation. We test the methodology for a set of flow lines with exponentially distributed arrival and service times. Comparisons between analytical and simulation results indicate the aggregation approach is quite accurate for estimating average part cycle time. P. Savory and G.T. Mackulak (1997), “An Aggregation Procedure for Simulating Manufacturing Flow Line Models,” Computers and Operations Research, Volume 24, No. 11, pp. 1963-1073. AN AGGREGATION PROCEDURE FOR SIMULATING MANUFACTURING FLOW LINE MODELS Paul A. Savory† and Gerald T. Mackulak‡ Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0518, USA Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5906, USA † PAUL A. SAVORY is an Assistant professor in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL). Prior to joining the faculty of UNL, he earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Arizona State University, a Master’s degree in Operations Research and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, both from Oregon State University. In addition to having taught university and industrial courses in simulation, operations research, and applied statistics, he has held positions as a software engineer and a quality control inspector. ‡ GERALD T. MACKULAK is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering at Arizona State University. He is co-Director of the Systems Simulation Laboratory. Dr. Mackulak received all his degrees from Purdue University in the area of Industrial Engineering. Before joining the ASU faculty in 1980, he held positions with U.S. Steel, Burroughs Corporation, and Pritsker and Associates. Dr. Mackulak has published extensively in the areas of CIM integration methods, simulation methodology, and production control. He has taught both public and private seminars on CIM system integration, simulation, and economic justification of CIM implementations. P. Savory and G.T. Mackulak (1997), “An Aggregation Procedure for Simulating Manufacturing Flow Line Models,” Computers and Operations Research, Volume 24, No. 11, pp. 1963-1073. 1