Smart analyses and diagnoses of piston product line based on virtual manufacturing technology

Abstract

The virtual simulation was used for designing and rebuilding product line according to real work conditions. The simulation software QUEST was used for analyzing the appointed piston product line in this example. After modelling and simulating, some factors which caused bottle-neck processes were found. The utility ratio of machines and productivity of workers were irrational after investigating the actual working environment. In order to improve the productivity, some measures were taken to integrate the whole process, such as realigning machines, adjusting utilities ratio of machines, improving walking mode of workers, increasing the transfer canals and rebuilding product line in the virtual environment. The results showed that product line implementing the above measures could improve the productivity and the bottle-neck problem was resolved in the virtual environment. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013.