E. Ares

Evaluation of the changes in working limits in an automobile assembly line using simulation

The aim of the work presented in this paper consists of the development of a decision-making support system, based on discrete-event simulation models, of an automobile assembly line which was implemented within an Arena simulation environment and focused at a very specific class of production lines with a four closed-loop network configuration. This layout system reflects one of the most common configurations of automobile assembly and preassembly lines formed by conveyors. The sum of the number of pallets on the intermediate buffers, remains constant, except for the fourth closed-loop, which depends on the four-door car ratio (x) implemented between the door disassembly and assembly stations of the car body. Some governing equations of the four closed-loops are not compatible with the capacities of several intermediate buffers for certain values of variable x. This incompatibility shows how the assembly line cannot operate in practice for x 0,97 in a stationary regime, due to the starvat...

Analysis of the influence of the production sequence in an automobile assembly line, modeled as a network of closed-loops

Simulation is a technique which allows for the transfer of reality into the computer, through the creation of a model that reliably mirrors the behavior of a process (already existent or in its project phase). The work presented in this paper consists of the development of a decision-making support system, based on a real problem, with the purpose of optimizing the operation of an automobile assembly line with a four closed-loop network configuration. This layout system reflects one of the most common configurations of automobile assembly and preassembly lines formed by conveyors. A simulation model in an Arena environment was developed, which allowed for an analysis of the important aspects not yet studied in specialized literature, namely the assessment of the impact of the production sequence on the automobile assembly line. Various sequence rules were analyzed and the performance of each of the corresponding simulation models was registered. An experiment technique design was used in order to obtain t...

Balance between Lean and Sustainability in Product Development

Companies require tools to change towards a new way of developing and producing innovative products to be manufactured considering the economic, social and environmental impact along the product life cycle. Based on translating Lean principles in Product Development (PD) from the design stage and, along the entire product life cycle, it is aimed to address both sustainability and environmental issues. The drivers of sustainable culture within a lean PD have been identified and a baseline for future research on the development of appropriate tools and techniques has been provided. This research provide industry with a framework which balance environmental and sustainable factors with lean principles to be considered and incorporated from the beginning of product design and development covering the entire product lifecycle.

Social return of R&D investments in manufacturing sector : some insights from an exploratory case study

This paper aims at contributing to the literature on how to measure the social impact of Research and Development (R&D) investment projects. For that purpose, an exploratory case study was undertaken to assess the importance that companies give to the social return of R&D investments and to identify the criteria and indicators more relevant for this evaluation process. The research undertaken is based on interviews conducted as part of a case study methodology involving a maritime-sector private company and the Technological Center of the Sea in Vigo. The results indicate that the criteria chosen as being the most important for the evaluation of social return of R&D were the number of jobs created at the company, the environmental impact and the working conditions. Also, in the case of Support Programs for R&D applications funding the research results indicate that the evaluation process presently followed does not properly address the socio-economic factors.

A Methodology to Evaluate Complex Manufacturing Systems through Discrete-Event Simulation Models

This paper proposes a methodology to analyze complex manufacturing systems, based on discrete-event simulation models. The methodology was validated by performing different simulation experiments and will be applied to a multistage multiproduct production line, based on a real case, with a closed-loop network configuration of machines and intermediate buffers consisting of conveyors, which is very common in the automobile sector. A simulation model in an Arena environment was developed, which allowed for an analysis of the important aspects not yet studied in specialized literature, namely the assessment of the impact of the production sequence on the automobile assembly line. Various sequence rules were analyzed and the performance of each of the corresponding simulation models was registered.

Production Planning and Control in an Automobile Closed-Loops Assembly Line

The work presented in this paper consists of the development of a decision making support system, based on a real problem, with the purpose of optimizing the operation of an automobile assembly line with a four closedloop network configuration. This layout system reflects one of the most common configurations of automobile assembly and preassembly lines formed by conveyors. The impact of the speed variation of the intermediate buffers formed by conveyors on the first three closed-loops and of the proportion of four-door car bodies on the number of cars produced / hour has been thoroughly investigated.

Simulation of a Closed-Loops Assembly Line

The aim of the work presented in this paper describes the development of a decision support system based on a discrete-event simulation model of an automobile assembly line. The model focuses at a very specific class of production lines with a four closed-loop network configuration. One key characteristic in the closed-loop system is that the number of pallets inside the first three loops has been made constant. The impact of the number of pallets circulating on the first three closed-loops and of the proportion of four-door car bodies on the performance of the production line has been thoroughly investigated. This has been translated into the number of cars produced per hour, in order to improve the availability of the entire manufacturing system.