Comparative Analysis Of Production Control Systems Through Simulation

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of seven different production control systems in a complex factory setup through computer simulation. Batch size, arrival rate, inter-arrival time, and maintenance type are the input parameters to the model. Work-in-process (WIP) and throughput (TH) are the system performance measurement output parameters. The study shows that a pull-based system does not outperform a push-based system with respect to WIP under all conditions. Pull-based systems prefer a smaller batch size to better control WIP. Each of the seven production control systems performs best at a specific inter-arrival time, although it is different for each system. Preventive maintenance is preferred over repair maintenance in a pull system and in a just-in-time (JIT) system. The computer simulation confirms that no single production control system is best under all conditions. The performance of a production control system depends not only on the type of manufacturing strategy chosen, but also on the values of the input parameters. This research shows that it makes no sense to comment on the superiority of one strategy over another without regard to the value of input parameters and the type of factory setup.