Multi-objective optimization of lean and resource efficient manufacturing systems

Abstract

In the manufacturing industry, target-oriented and efficient use of resources is gaining importance, alongside economic optimization. The economic and organizational optimization of manufacturing systems according to the lean principles is only partly compatible with the goals of resource-efficient manufacturing. Therefore, an approach is sought to improve individual analyses of manufacturing systems. This paper proposes an approach for the multi-objective optimization of lean and resource-efficient manufacturing systems. To predict the dynamic effects of several configurations of manufacturing systems, material, energy, and information flows of a discrete event simulation are coupled with an assessment model, based on objectives of lean and resource-efficient manufacturing. Using design of experiments, Gaussian process meta-models are computed for the behavior of the simulation model. These meta-models allow the approximation of the system behavior to be computed in a short period of time and enable extensive multi-objective optimization and more adequate decision-making support systems. The proposed approach is tested in the metalworking industry.