Teaching the meaning of manufacturing synchronisation using simple simulation models

A perfectly synchronised manufacturing system is the process where components arrive at the work centres in time for their production, so that excessive in-process stocks do not build up causing delays to orders, inventory costs are minimised and customer service is improved by delivering orders on time, creating a possible competitive edge. This article focuses on manufacturing synchronisation as a way to guide companies in this journey to excellence, proposing a simple approach to explain this concept and helping them in the selection of the most appropriate synchronisation approach via visual interactive simulation models. The aim of these models is to represent visually and interactively three different synchronisation approaches: just in case, just in time and drum-buffer-rope, in order to compare and stress the main differences between them. This approach has been used in Brazil for academic and practical purposes.