P. Giribone

Decision-support systems and simulation for logistics: Moving forward for a distributed, real-time, interactive simulation environment

Logistics constitutes a very complex reality that requires a high level of co-ordination among many different entities. In the maritime environment this problem is very difficult to solve. The authors propose an innovative approach based on the extensive use of simulation and virtual reality in a web environment as a wired decision support system. The paper presents projects that have been developed in this sector and new research under development.

Operative requirements and advances for the new generation simulators in multimodal container terminals

The paper outlines the evolution of container terminal requirements for simulation and the potential of new advanced techniques in the integration with these aspects; the authors present application examples and experimental results that maximized the impact of these new concepts in real complex port realities.

Simulation of Dock Management and Planning in a Port Terminal

Abstract Dock and yard space management is one of the main problems in a port container terminal. In this sector, modelling can provide interesting solutions to the problem of verifying current planning. However, it is particularly important to set up this work as the first link in a decision-support chain that not only evaluates the consequences of such planning, but also becomes the active smart proposal developer. This paper presents the first step in this direction.

Using system dynamics for short life cycle supply chains evaluation

This work is part of an Italian National Research Project embracing different aspects of a short life-cycle products supply chains: its modeling, its resiliency and its competitiveness. In fact, this particular kind of products, like fashion goods, toys or electronic devices, have different characteristics compared with long-medium life cycle products and this implies a quite different management as well as competitiveness factors to take into account. Starting from the modeling of a supply chain of this kind, utilizing the Powersim Studio Software implementing the System Dynamics methodology, with the goal of showing its behavior under specific scenarios, some vulnerability causes have been considered in order to make the supply chain more resilient. Finally, the competitiveness dynamics between two companies producing short life cycle items has been modeled and analyzed.

Evaluation And Analysis By Simulation Of A Production Line Model Built With Back-Propagation Neural Networks

Once a plant simulator had been built, the next objective was to create a simple-to-use model of a system that could provide immediate responses. Neural networks are ideal tools to achieve this objective, and this article presents the results of an experimental study aimed at identifying valid reference criteria for selecting the network architecture that is most suitable for the particular situation examined.

Simulation of Hazardous Material Fallout for Emergency Management During Accidents

This article proposes a model to evaluate hazardous material fallout. The problem is particularly pertinent since the transport, storage and production of this type of product often occur close to inhabited areas and, in case of accidents, it is important to correctly estimate the lines of action and risk areas. This model can also be used to evaluate the environ mental risk related to specific hazardous installations and therefore can be used to improve industrial planning.

Study of the behaviour of flexible production systems using neural nets

Abstract Owing to high development and acquisition costs, production systems require very detailed analysis for pre-design specifications, and an adjustment in operating philosophies. Detailed simulation models are one of the most important instruments to achieve this goal; normally the simulator must be custom-built, based on an accurate study of the specific industrial problem. The proposed management and economical analysis uses mathematical meta-models obtained from experimental designs produced by the simulator; today the detail level and precision required is very high, so these kinds of meta-model operate very close to their limit. Here we present a new methodology based on artificial neural networks that produces new types of meta-models which can correctly represent complex industrial systems. In this work we propose an application of this methodology together with a detailed analysis of the model development phase to highlight the potential of this instrument.

Plant Combined Simulation for Compost Production Starting from Sewage Sludge

Waste treatment is a major social and economic problem. In Europe, and in Italy in particular, this market is plagued by a great amount of uncertainty. Thus plant operation must be studied carefully under different economic and technical conditions to make such plants more economical.

Simulation as educational support for production and logistics in industrial engineering

The proposed implementation is a monitor system able to train operators for on-line real time manufacturing control in order to analyze the performance of a production process. This system integrates a simulation model and a statistical analysis module. The architecture has been designed to be able to operate in a real time distributed environment, by using TCP/IP sockets; obviously this approach makes it possible to access the data by different users with a hierarchical architecture. This innovative approach pays great attention to make a use friendly network support training for both operatives and managers thanks to the portability and scalability of the system. The methodology has been tested on a real case study and the experimental results demonstrate the potential of such an approach.

Integrated management of a bishuttle FMS using a discrete/ stochastic simulator

Abstract This paper provides a demonstration of the culmination of research which has been undertaken by the authors for a period of nearly 20 years. Specifically, the work presented here has been carried out in collaboration with Mandelli SpA, one of the leaders in FMS production in Italy. The paper ooutlines the complete use of an off-line FMS simulator originally realized in Fortran 77 and implemented on an IBM PS/2-80. The FMS simulation examines the systems efficiency both prior to and following improvements made in scheduling and managing mannedand unmanned working shifts, resulting in great improvements in system utilization.