Line balancing can be a challenge for manufacturers. With so many different requirements on the system, the outcomes of process improvement changes can difficult to predict.
By simulating assembly line operations, manufacturers can quickly identify bottlenecks, test production schedules and evaluate the impact of design decisions.
Line balancing is the leveling of the workload across all operations in a manufacturing line to remove any bottlenecks and excess capacity. The 'line' could be an assembly line or modular line and will likely have many work stations with varied tasks and work contents.
Manufacturing throughput is dependent on the length of time each task takes on the line, the number of staff available and their skill level, machine capacity and in the case of mixed assembly lines, changeover times.
When designing and managing a mixed-model line assembly, system engineers strive to satisfy a number of objectives including:
These goals ensure that production schedules are continually met, manufacturing costs are kept low and ensure that the quality of goods is maintained.
With so many different and potentially conflicting requirements on the system, as well as interdependencies between process constraints and design objectives, the outcomes of line balancing process design, or re-design, can be difficult to predict. If new processes create bottlenecks at any point in the system, this can negatively impact the whole line and overall throughput.
Designing a new system or re-designing an existing assembly line incorrectly can result in lost production, substantial revenue losses and overworked operators.
Analytical methods can be used, but are limited due to the dynamic nature of the system. The impact of buffering, shift patterns, and product sequence quickly confounds this approach for line design and balancing.
Other factors that add complexity to the design of an assembly line include:
Simulation software can help manufacturers to test and implement a well-balanced line that has the flexibility to hit targeted throughput consistently.
The insight provided through simulation gives developers, line managers and stakeholders confidence that changes being made will have the desired outcome.
Using line balancing simulation, manufacturers can identify system bottlenecks, test production schedules, and evaluate the impact of design and scheduling decisions, such as buffering requirements and product mix.
Manufacturers around the globe consider simulation essential for performing any rigorous and meaningful analysis on a modern production line, as it is capable of including the required level of detail and establishing confidence levels around results for a wide range of issues.
With simulation manufacturers can test changes and optimize a wide range of factors including:
Leading automotive manufacturer Chrysler improved throughput by 39 units per day and met increased customer demand using SIMUL8.
"SIMUL8 is fast and easy to learn. It’s quick to use which makes it an ideal tool for getting the results we need to make fast but thorough decisions."
By developing smarter maintenance rules using simulation software, GM increased throughput by 5% to meet an increase in demand, without increasing costs.
“We increased throughput without increasing overheads. Using SIMUL8 lets us stay flexible when planning resource to cope with demand fluctuations.”
"Vehicle manufacturing is a highly competitive industry and we need to remain flexible to cope with fluctuations in demand. SIMUL8 has been ahighly effective tool for us in achieving that flexibility."
Joy Boath, Virtual Manufacturing Engineer, GM Holden
This whitepaper outlines the key steps to take in a line balancing project and discusses how simulation can play a key part in successful completion when the conflicting objectives of cost, quality and time all need to be delivered on.
This whitepaper explains the key learning points that should be considered when working with downtime and how to apply this to your simulation.
Brian Harrington, a former Ford Motor Company employee and SIMUL8 user of 20 years, discusses why simulation is such a useful tool to ensure the success of a project when time, cost and quality are all competing objectives.
Find out more about how simulation enables manufacturers to make rapid, profitable decisions.
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