An analysis of the impact of buffer allocation and maintenance on the effectiveness of a manufacturing system using computer simulation

Abstract

Maintenance management is responsible for the effectiveness of automated manufacturing systems. The allocation of a certain number of employees to the servicing sector of a manufacturing system ensures that an enterprise’s throughput is at a satisfactory level but of course, there is the ‘cost’ factor to be taken into account. The present paper concentrates on the impact of the number of maintenance staff employed, the availability of resources, the allocation of a capacity buffer and the topology of the manufacturing system on the throughput and average lifespan of a given product. Research has been conducted with the use of a computer simulation, using Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software. The model for the manufacturing system includes a parallel, serial production line with two separate manufacturing cells, connected by an intermediate buffer. Additionally the results obtained in simulations were subjected to statistical analysis. Performed analysis indicates that machines availability, size of buffer as well as number of operators have positive influence on value of throughput. Size of buffer has also positive influence on value of lifespan, while machines availability and number of operators have negative influence on value of lifespan.