Material flow optimization through e-kanban system simulation

Abstract

The digital evolution of lean thinking increases visibility along the whole value chain. It spreads and intensifies the potential of Supply Chain Collaboration in the network through the digitalization of orders, tracking deliveries and supplies in real-time, optimizing material and informational flows, and streamlining delivery time. Industry 4.0 transforms the business by creating a favourable environment for implementing well-known technologies from JIT/JIS and Kanban. The article aimed to map and create a simulation model of the production-assembly process and to propose the introduction of Kanban logic into material flow control. The implementation of the Kanban system and the testing of variant solutions using the simulation software Tecnomatix Plant Simulation made it possible to find the optimal solution.