Computer simulation and optimisation of material handling systems

Abstract

All parties in today's supply chain have to face a tremendous pressure that results from the competitive market factors such as short product life cycle, stringent regulations and keen competition. For manufacturers and distributors, these factors are considered as driving forces for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their manufacturing and distribution systems. In this respect, computer-based discrete-event modelling and simulation methodologies have emerged as a very useful tool to facilitate the effective analysis of these complex and uncertain operations. However, computer simulation alone may not guarantee optimal solutions in most situations. In this regard, this paper presents an optimisation framework that couples the process of optimisation and simulation such that the strengths of both techniques are leveraged. The proposed simulation-based optimisation framework integrates an immune-inspired algorithm with a simulation tool for determining optimal parameters of material handling systems. The performance of the framework is evaluated via two case studies. [Submitted 22 October 2016; Accepted 26 August 2019]