Kanban simulation model for production process optimization

Abstract

A long time has passed since the KANBAN system has been established as an efficient method for coping with the excessive inventory. Still, the possibilities for its improvement through its integration with other different approaches should be investigated further. The basic research challenge of this paper is to present benefits of KANBAN implementation supported with Discrete Event Simulation (DES). In that direction, at the beginning, the basics of KANBAN system are presented with emphasis on the information and material flow, together with a methodology for implementation of KANBAN system. Certain analysis on combining the simulation with this methodology is presented. The paper is concluded with a practical example which shows that through understanding the philosophy of the implementation methodology of KANBAN system and the simulation methodology, a simulation model can be created which can serve as a basis for a variety of experiments that can be conducted within a short period of time, resulting with production process optimization.

Exploration of Production Methods Being Used by Clothing Manufacturing Companies in Zimbabwe Towards a Competitive Strategy

“…Kanban could help the operators with information required to be done at every stage of production (Dimitrescu et al, 2019), using lean concepts of limiting work in progress and communicate the need for each work station to improve results (Anderson & Carmichael, 2016). Kanban could however be a challenge to implement in these sampled clothing manufacturing companies because of its demand for a variety of stochastic, expensive calculations and iterations (Golchev et al, 2015). This was because most of the sampled clothing manufacturing personnel were not highly qualified to carry out such calculations and iterations, and also the unavailability of finances and foreign currency could be a hindrance.…”

Optimization of production system in plant simulation

“…Golchev et al 8 in their research stated that the primary goal of every organization is to optimize its activities. Svoboda et al 1 and Davenport 9 mentioned that any optimization should reflect the needs of the clients while respecting the economic restrictions of the organization.…”