Woolshed Throughput Improvement Using Discrete Event Simulation
- Publisher:
- Omnia Publisher SL
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 2022, 15, (2), pp. 296-308
- Issue Date:
- 2022-01-01
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Purpose: Computer-aided production engineering simulation is a common approach in the search for improvements to real systems. They are used in various industrial sectors and are a basis for process improvement. Such production simulations have found limited use in the wool industry. This study aims to compare the performance of different woolshed layouts (curved vs linear). Design/methodology/approach: A discrete event simulation is constructed for both considered layouts in Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software. Data from an in-field observational visit to a working woolshed and industry gray literature is used to validate the simulation model. The two layouts are compared in their base configuration and with equipment and worker changes to evaluate the impacts on throughput. Findings: In the base configurations, the curved layout reduces total worker travel time which increases production by 11 fleeces per day over the linear layout. The addition of an extra skirting table in the curved layout further increases throughout by 30 fleeces per day. The addition of more wool handlers does not have as large of an impact indicating that processing limits occur due to equipment capacity and shearer speed. Research limitations/implications: The sample size of the collected field data was small; some data have been collected from literature and not directly measured. Processing time is assumed to be distributed uniformly as a conservative distribution form. The study’s purpose is to evaluate relative differences in two different layouts using consistent worker parameters. Practical implications: This verifies the proposed curved shed layout improves production and gives farmers the ability to compute the long-term economic impact. The results also highlight that other processing stages in the shed need adjustment for more system gains. Originality/value: As the first application of discrete event simulation to evaluate woolsheds operations this work shows throughput gains are possible with layout, equipment, and worker changes to current practices. Additionally, this work shows the effectiveness of discrete event simulation evaluating woolshed designs. The results can be used to reduce costly experiments.
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