An integrated and parametric simulation model to improve production and maintenance processes: Towards a digital factory performance

Abstract

In recent years with the emergence of the concept of Industry 4.0 digitalization is transforming the industrial scenario. A great attention is focused on integrated simulation system, an emerging enabling technology, as a particular decision support tool, to represent the increasingly complex modern production systems. The advantage is that it is possible to perform simulations and reconfigure models to evaluate modified or alternative scenarios to achieve current demands of increasingly competitive markets. The aim of the present research is the definition of an integrated parametric simulation model for integration management enhancing the production and maintenance process. Thus, a framework for implementing simulation models that help production and maintenance managers to make cost-effective decisions as well as optimize the use of resources is developed. System Dynamics approach is used to simulate, through PowerSim Software®, the nonlinear behavior of the analyzed complex systems over time. The results revealed that the proposed simulation optimization procedure can be used to solve and to manage complexity in a ‘‘real-time’’. Furthermore, the output of this simulation optimization procedure gives the decision maker the most probable scenario.