Simulation-based performance of assembly cells with real-time distributed arrival time control system

This paper presents the results of a simulation-based performance of assembly cells (AC) manufacturing systems with real-time distributed arrival time for JIT-oriented production environment. This research adds to the sparse body of the literature in this area. In this paper, the distributed arrival time control (DATC) systems are used to make assembly cells manufacturing systems scalable and practical in heterarchical manufacturing systems. The research includes four levels of the number of stations and four levels of assembly task time standard deviations. The results indicate that DATC used in assembly cells was effective for the orientation of JIT production. The ability of the assembly cells studied in this research to handle a wide range of variability with little change in mean squared deviation. The research also shows that distributed arrival time control system can provide the stability of the scheduling of manufacturing system.