A leading manufacturer of air conditioning components is considering a plant expansion due to increasing sales forecasts. A new production line is to be added and it is not known whether the existing multi-line final test and packing area can handle the increased throughput. Simulation was used as a tool to estimate the capacity of the final pack area and determine how much capacity should be added, if any. The final pack area proved to be difficult to simulate due to complex, real-time routing decisions. Furthermore, the simulation model identified other areas for improvement and standardization. This paper provides an in-depth study of the project and lessons learned. Specific issues addressed included:
-modeling the final pack area using ProModel
-decision-making logic used to route the components
-verification of the simulation model
-results and conclusions of the simulation
Using Simulation as a Decision Making Tool -Plant Expansion Case Study
Proceedings of the Huntsville Simulation Conference. By The Society for Modeling and Simulation International, San Diego, CA. Reprinted by permission.