Computational Modeling and Simulation for Productivity Improvement in a Pump Manufacturing Facility

Abstract

Background:To survive in the cutthroat competition, the production rate must be quick for a manufacturing company. One of the possible methods is to reduce the additional distances being travelled by the components within the manufacturing unit.

Objectives: This paper presents an attempt to increase the productivity of a pump manufacturing facility by reducing the distances being travelled by the individual components through computational modeling and simulation.

Methods: A thorough and critical examination of the manufacturing process revealed the additional distances being travelled by the components within the unit. Flow Process Charts are used to map the distances being travelled by the components. Upon critical study of the existing layout, three modified layouts are proposed by changing the locations of the machine centers and removing the obsolete machines to reduce the distances being travelled by the components. Both the existing and the proposed layouts are computationally modelled and validated using Flexsim discrete event simulation software through the deployment of custom logic.