Simulation of production lines - The importance of breakdown statistics and the effect of machine position

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the importance of choosing the correct values and statistical distributions for breakdown frequency and duration when simulating production line productivity. Statistical distributions with a wide range tend to reduce the productivity of the line but this trend can be disrupted by poor choice of mean values for the variables in question. Also, it is demonstrated that the productivity of a production line can be improved simply by re-arranging the order of unreliable machines in the line. If the line consists of similar or exchangeable machines, productivity can improved if the most unreliable machines are placed towards the end of the line. The paper also demonstrates the risks of reduction of the standard deviation to obtain a more deterministic model.