Optimization of Coupled Manufacturing Systems by a Model-Based and Integrative Approach 2002-01-2125

Effective optimization of coupled manufacturing systems requires a quantitative, systemic and practical determination of the manufacturing system constraint. For this purpose, a model-based and integrative approach is suggested. By the means of a manufacturing system model, productivity potentials for coupled industrial manufacturing systems in terms of capacity are quantified. In providing task-specific optimization methods within a platform approach the integrative feature is defined. The described model-based and integrative implementation procedure is applied for the practical determination of the overall manufacturing system constraint. Here, currently machine-specific, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) determination does not sufficiently support the root-cause determination of input- and output-losses (coupling losses). However, these coupling losses have a major impact upon local machine capacity and are ‘constraining’ overall system capacity. The industrial example for an automotive body plant shows first manufacturing engineering-specific results for a model-based and integrative determination of the overall constraint.