Assembly plant simulation to support decision-making on Layout Design considering safety issues. A case study

This paper presents a simulation model that has been created to support decision-making during the layout redesign of an engine and transmission assembly plant in the automotive sector. The plant requires a new layout and supply logistic due to an increase in its complexity and daily production. Discrete event simulation has been used to validate an initial proposal and to propose different what-if scenarios of layout and operations management systems. These scenarios will be evaluated regarding materials flow generated throughout the plants. The main focus of the decision process was focused on safety issues related to the material handling. The simulation model and its description have been done according to the methodology proposed in Saez Mas, Garcia Sabater, Morant Llorca, y Maheut (2016), where the simulation model is focus as a 4-layer architecture (network, logic, database and visual reality). The achieved model is very flexible and modular, and it allows to save modelling time because of the parameterize of different combinations in layout and operations management.