SIMULATION INCREASES EFFICIENCY OF ENGINE AIR-LEAK TESTING

Discrete-event process simulation has long since earned its place as one of the most powerful and frequently applicable analytical tools available for production process analysis and improvement. Also, the manufacturing economic sector has rapidly become more competitive, requiring both greater economy and greater efficiency of operations. In the present application of simulation, a Tier I automotive industry supplier, beset with these economic pressures, sought to improve the productivity and efficiency of a test-&-inspection line being designed for an automotive engine plant. Simulation was successfully used to design this line to meet stringent requirements of productivity, low original equipment cost, and low operating cost. Via comparison of multiple alternatives, this simulation study identified potential bottlenecks and produced recommendations for their improvement or removal.