Jade Lade is the Operations Director of Smart-Pens-Extra Ltd based in Hatfield UK. The company manufactures smart pens and, due to expansion, the company is considering deploying innovative automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in their manufacturing system. Jade is interested in studying the effect of the AGVs on throughput performance using discrete event simulation. Develop a plan for the Smart-Pens-Extra’s proposed simulation study. Specifically, identify the activities, start time and end time of each activity, and key deadlines of the simulation study. A Gantt chart is not required. Discuss the work plan.
AGVs or Automated Guided Vehicles are robots that do not need divers. These are in use in one form or other in various industries from the 1950s. Properly coordinated use of AGVs will aid in process improvement, reduce labor cost, cycle times, increase throughput performance etc. Since industrial implementations are preceded by simulations, we need to make a simulation of the proposed AGV implementation in Smart-Pens-Extra Ltd. Due to the complexity involved in manufacturing operations, discrete event simulation is used.
Steps involved in the proposed simulation study are the following.
1. Assigning the project lead
2. Studying the current scenario and preparing report
3. Making contract with simulation agency
4. Simulation study
a. Problem formulation – this involves identifying the problem (Which all are the least efficient processes? Which all processes can be automated? etc.).
b. Objective setting – this involves setting objectives for automation like increasing throughout, reducing cycle time etc.
c. Model building and data collection – this involves making the simulation and collecting data.
d. Experiment design – this involves making a design of the new process model.
e. Document program and report results – this involves documenting the simulation findings.
5. Comparing the simulated production with existing production
6. Finalizing study
| S/N | Activity |
Duration (Days) |
Start Date | End Date |
| 1 | Assigning the project lead | 1 | 04-May-2019 | 04-May-2019 |
| 2 | Studying the current scenario and preparing report | 5 | 05-May-2019 | 09-May-2019 |
| 3 | Making contract with simulation agency | 1 | 10-May-2019 | 10-May-2019 |
| 4 | Simulation study | 30 | 11-May-2019 | 09-Jun-2019 |
| 4.1 | Problem formulation | |||
| 4.2 | Objective setting | |||
| 4.3 | Model building and data collection | |||
| 4.4 | Experiment design | |||
| 4.5 | Document program and report results | |||
| 5 | Comparing the simulated production with existing production | 3 | 10-Jun-2019 | 13-Jun-2019 |
| 6 | Finalizing study | 2 | 14-Jun-2019 | 16-Jun-2019 |
Work Plan
Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to conduct a study regarding implementation of AGVs in Smart-Pens-Extra Ltd.
Introduction and Background
Smart-Pens-Extra Ltd. is a pen manufacturing company that was establishes in 1869 and had sustained its operations successfully until now. Currently we are looking to automate the process so that our operations can be more streamlined, for this, we are looking to involve AGVs in the company.
Key Objectives
The key objectives for this study are to reduce manpower cost and to improve throughput of the company. Reducing cycle time is also an objective.
Work Plan
Mr. Jade Lade has involved Mr. Joseph to conduct the study. Mr. Joseph shall prepare the status report for measuring with simulated results later. After conducting the study, XYZ Simulations Services Ltd. shall be engaged for the conducting the study. They shall conduct the research and modelling within 30 days. This shall involve problem formulation, objectives, model building and data collection, experiment design and documentation. The report shall be compared against current status and the comparison shall be given to the management for review.
Jade Lade is the Operations Director of Smart-Pens-Extra Ltd based in Hatfield UK. The company manufactures...