Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/objectives: Flexible manufacturing is a concept which allows manufacturing under highly customized ­production requirements. The aim of this simulation study is to scrutinize the effect of routing flexibility on the different performance measures in the proposed FMS (Flexible manufacturing systems). Methods/Statistical Analysis: The proposed FMS have been modeled based on the input data and the system parameters using ARENA simulation software. ANOVA has been used for analyzing the simulation results in different manufacturing scenarios. Findings: The developed simulation model aids in better routing of jobs in real manufacturing scenario under breakdown situations. An investigation using simulation results has been made to present the comparative study on flexible routing of jobs in an FMS environment which is subject to unexpected machining area break downs. Using ARENA simulation software the result obtained from the developed model for performance measures have been analyzed. The transfer time has been found more influencing than other factors on the performance of the system. Applications/Improvements: The proposed simulation model aids in improved design, planning and control of jobs and to arrive at judicious types and levels of routing in order to attain an enhanced performance in a complex manufacturing system under the breakdown situations. 

Keywords: Alternative Routing, ARENA Simulation, Flexible Manufacturing System, Routing Flexibility