Using Discrete Element Simulation to Design and Evolve Agile Manufacturing Systems in an SME

Discrete element simulation is commonly used in industry to increase management confidence in proposed changes to manufacturing systems. However, its use is largely confined to large, mass production systems and it is rarely applied to the small, complex systems typically found in SMEs. This paper proposes a system revision methodology incorporating discrete element simulation and applies it to complex, real world manufacturing systems within an SME. The systems have been successfully modelled through two case studies and results gained to aid decisions to system revision questions. The benefits to the SME in terms of increased system agility and improved performance from the revised systems have been demonstrated.