A generic methodology that aids the application of system dynamics to manufacturing system modelling

Computer based simulation is generally accepted to be a valuable aid for gaining insight into, and making predictions about, the behaviour of a manufacturing system. Frequently, simulation is considered to be synonymous with discrete event simulation (DES). However, other forms of simulation do exist, and one that we feel has considerable unrealised potential is system dynamics (SD). The SD approach considers a system to be made up of flows, that are controlled by rates, and which may accumulate in states. For example, a machine may have a production rate that contains the flow of products. System dynamics forces users to view a manufacturing system at a relatively aggregated level of detail. This is conducive to the evaluation of strategic changes to a manufacturing system (T.S. Baines, 1994). However, SD appears to have not been applied to its full potential in manufacturing strategy scenarios. We believe that this situation has come about because SD lacks a modelling platform that is tailored to the application of SD to manufacturing problems. Therefore, the aim of our work has been to provide a generic framework that will aid the industrialist to apply SD to manufacturing system modelling. The paper describes the generic framework and tests that have been conducted to evaluate its potential. The paper commences with a brief review of the role of SD in manufacturing system modelling. The limitations of currently available SD software are identified, and the SD generic modelling approach is given. A case study is then described where the generic modelling approach is applied in a real company