Method for simulation-based value stream optimization for high-mix serial production

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Joachim Metternich
• Subject Area: Production Systems, Operations Management, Quality Management and Factory Planning
• Term: from 2017 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 359470703

Value stream mapping is an effective method for the improvement of production systems. It is widely disseminated in industry and by using the method many companies have achieved significant improvements in respect to productivity, lead time and stock level. However, the method considers production systems only under static aspects. Therefore, the validity of developed future states is low. Besides, different future states cannot be assessed and benefits of improvement measures cannot be quantified before physical implementation. Simulation can overcome those deficiencies. The combination of value stream mapping and simulation is proposed by various authors. Research has been carried out to simplify digital modeling of value streams. However, the approaches do not include a method for simulation enhanced value stream optimization. Hence, in this proposal a methodical optimization approach is developed, based on the scenario technique. By the systematic design of multiple future states and their simulation based assessment, best feasible value stream configurations can be figured out of a range of predefined scenarios. The state of the art in contradiction assumes that the one future state developed by the optimization team is feasible and proceed to implementation without assessing other configurations. Hence, the efficiency of developed future states and the effectiveness of value stream mapping is improved by the simulation based approach. By using the method companies are enabled to design highly efficient production systems and therefore increase their competiveness.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants