Simulation and Optimization Techniques for Sawmill Yard Operations—A Literature Review

Abstract

Increasing costs and competitive business strategies are pushing sawmill enterprises to make an effort for optimization of their process management. Organizational decisions mainly concentrate on performance and reduction of operational costs in order to maintain profit margins. Although many efforts have been made, effective utilization of resources, optimal planning and maximum productivity in sawmill are still challenging to sawmill industries. Many researchers proposed the simulation models in combination with optimization techniques to address problems of integrated logistics optimization. The combination of simulation and optimization technique identifies the optimal strategy by simulating all complex behaviours of the system under consideration including objectives and constraints. During the past decade, an enormous number of studies were conducted to simulate operational inefficiencies in order to find optimal solutions. This paper gives a review on recent developments and challenges associated with simulation and optimization techniques. It was believed that the review would provide a perfect ground to the authors in pursuing further work in optimizing sawmill yard operations.

Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Model for Production Planning: A Case Study at Sawn Timber Production

“…Several factors that affect the system of production processes and lumber recovery factor are The number of sawn timber products combination based on customer demand and the raw materials, the availability of raw materials based on the diameter and length of the log, the logs processing into sawn timber products, and the machine tools [5], [13], [14], [15]. Therefore, production planning by considering the factors above needs to be integrated appropriately to achieve the goal of proper system and efficient production [6], [16]. Furthermore, by optimizing the production planning, the sawmill industry can reduce the amount of log used, log cost, and log waste [17], [18], [19], [20], [21].…”

Process layout planning and optimised product range selection in manufacture of wooden construction sets

“…The latter authors in particular utilized the association of regression trees and neural networks to develop a reduced simulation model for extended work flow analysis in the sawmill facility. Rahman et al (2014) reviewed the advances associated with the use of mathematical optimization techniques like linear and integer programming as well as artificial intelligence methods in combination with discrete event simulation, in order to solve issues related to logistics at sawmill yard operations.…”

Log yard logistics

“…Another review paper analysing the potential for optimisation in forestry, Rahman et al (2014a) structure the existing research work according to the optimisation or simulation techniques used. Their paper introduces linear and integer programming over artificial intelligence-based methods and simulations however little research is provided on the improvement of the logistical operations within a production site's log yard.…”