Design and implementation of a cellular manufacturing process: A simulation model approach

This paper describes how discrete-event simulation was used to analyze a multinational company's proposed manufacturing system. The company involved in this research manufactures high quality, printed products. They wanted to expand their business by offering customized products that required the use of advanced manufacturing technologies and practices. A simulation model helped to identify potential problems and allowed solutions to be developed and enacted prior to production start-up. Several cell design alternatives for post-printing operations were evaluated before major capital investments and a final layout were made. These efforts resulted in effective equipment and labor force utilization, reduction of work-in-process and improved operational efficiency in comparison to their traditional process, building the employees' confidence in the new digital technology and the cellular manufacturing approach.