ABSTRACT:

Collins & Aikman's Rantoul Plant One currently maintains two of their three assembly lines in operation for the production of instrument panels for various automotive manufacturers. These lines are supplied with plastic components produced by high-tonnage injection molding machines within the plant and parts from external suppliers. In order to facilitate material flow within the plant, numerous high-low fork trucks are utilized in the material handling process.
 

What is Simulation? - Simulation Explained

Simulation software and methodology have been successfully used in supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing for many years and will continue to play a major role in these industries. The drive for more efficient operations, producing more with less, and constantly increasing and refining quality has been the driving force in adopting simulation software. Moreover, the heavy shift toward lean thinking and six sigma methods coupled with increasing operational variability have forced many companies to introduce dynamic predictive technologies to be an integral part of their daily operation procedures.

Next generation dynamic simulator operates under an entirely different paradigm than traditional static tools. The graphical interface used to build models does not generate or compile code since it interfaces directly with the multi-core simulation engine. When the simulation starts, the animation instantly displays, both in 2D and 3D , the current state of the engine. As inefficiencies develop, real time modifications can be made to model properties and constraints. These “on-the-fly” changes allow users to instantly realize potential gains and perform dynamic optimization.

Decreasing Patient Wait Time And Increasing Operational Efficiency in The ED - The Emergency Department is a critical area within the Healthcare Industry. It is also one of the most unpredictable environments. Excessive wait times within the Emergency...

Ensuring Success with Simulation

Simulation is an approximation of reality, the level to which it mimics reality depends on the tool and method used to implement the simulation model. The closer the simulation model mimics reality, the better its results and analysis are, while the faster the model is built and validated the greater the return on investment.

ABSTRACT:

The Eaton Cutler-Hammer facility has two separate areas of assembly. Eleven production lines compose the Load Center Assembly Area while 17 production lines compose the Metering/Meter Breaker/ACD Assembly Area. Currently, 11 fork trucks are used in the facility to bring parts from receiving to storage where they can be picked up when needed by the assembly lines. Fork trucks also take packaged goods from finished assembly to shipping. Fork truck drivers are often dedicated to one or two assembly lines in an attempt to meet their every need and to ensure that the assembly process does not incur downtime.

Because the transport of different products can be a costly endeavor, it is imperative to increase productivity and cut costs wherever possible. Simcad Pro is a sophisticated simulation engine that allows users to increase efficiency, allocate resources effectively, and utilize time wisely. Through this patented software, users can improve overall efficiency of transportation needs and as a result, cut costs and save time.

Monte Carlo simulations can be used to study the variability of the model and determine the model behavior boundaries along with the expected performance. In simulation models that contain variable failure rates, variable processing rates at each stations, and variable inputs, Monte Carlo simulation runs can be a tremendous asset to any organization in order to understand the intricate behavior of the model environment. Simcad Pro created models benefit from the fact that Simcad Pro integrates all the tools required to run and analyze Monte Carlo simulations quickly and effectively. Coupled with the patented On-the-fly dynamic model updates, Simcad Pro provides an unprecedented simulation environment unmatched in the industry.

The Role of Dynamic Simulation® in Process Improvement Initiatives - In every industry, from manufacturing to services, logistics and healthcare, there is an increasing need to do more with less, increase efficiency while reducing cost, and improve utilization while maximizing...

With the CAD layout imported into the model, users are able to make changes to pathways and distances to see how these changes effect the over efficiency of document flow. As changes are made, users can see the results immediately, allowing them to see if the changes have improved the flow or if additional changes and modifications need to be made.

The manufacturing environment is faced with many challenges that must be properly identified, analyzed and optimized prior to implementing any operational changes. Because of the integrated nature of manufacturing environments, each component has the ability and possibility of affecting another component within the system. Due to the high inter-connectivity of the system, special attention must be paid to possible changes and how these changes affect overall system productivity and functionality. With Simcad Pro dynamic simulation, manufacturing operations have the ability to mitigate and reduce risk with the proper planning of processes prior to the implementation of changes.

Molded Fiber Glass had a modest beginning in 1948 in Ashtabula, Ohio, near the shores of Lake Erie. Robert S. Morrison, our founder, and a handful of dedicated men and women worked diligently together to mass-produce the first commercial products using polyester resins and fiberglass reinforcements. The watershed event in the composites industry took place in 1953. MFG was chosen to produce all FRP parts for the Corvette. This led to the FRP boats, which MFG commercialized in 1955. Since those early days, MFG has grown substantially, sometimes with great difficulty.
 

Distribution Center Network Analysis

• Determine Optimal DC Locationsg
• Manage Inventory Levels and Delivery Requirements to ensure product availability
• Route and transportation method optimization

Hospital Patient Wait Times : One of the most unpredictable environments in the Healthcare Industry is the Emergency Department, ED. We have all been there, spending countless hours in a waiting room only to finally receive medical attention in a hallway, or if you were lucky enough to make it to an examination room, you sat hopeless, wondering if a doctor even knew that you existed. Excessive patient wait times can be tolling on the patient both physically and emotionally; affecting the morale of the patient, doctors, nurses and medical staff. Let's take a look at some of the most common contributing factors (and their implications) which lead to one of America's biggest challenges in the healthcare community today; optimizing the ED to reduce patient wait times and increase overall efficiency.

With the current state of today's economy, industry professionals throughout the nation are looking for process improvement methods to lower cost and increase efficiency; while achieving sustainable, competitive edge. With many challenges surrounding the validation of a proposed solution, process optimization often evades the best of us.

With rising costs in manufacturing, it is important to make every effort to reduce bottlenecks, improve efficiency and utilize resources fully. Simcad Pro is a sophisticated dynamic simulation engine that can be utilized to improve the overall efficiency of an assembly line. Users of Simcad Pro have experienced increased efficiency, effectiveness and accuracy within their assembly lines, meaning increased profits. Additionally, staff allocation and shifts can be better forecast and analyzed, reducing the overall cost of the operation while increasing utilization of available resources.

LEAN ====> Eliminate Waste. Increase Efficiency

It has been proven that Lean methods improve efficiency, reduce cost, and increase the overall profitability of organizations. Although different variations of these methods have been applied to different industries, the fact remains, that if implemented correctly, Lean methods work. Today's organizations need to be very adaptive, and very dynamic in the way they react to consumer demand; and what better way to adapt than with a dynamic tool? Avoid lost opportunity and lost revenue, by eliminating slow operational response with Simcad Pro 's patented dynamic technology.

THE ROLE OF DYNAMIC SIMULATION IN PROCESS IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES - In every industry, from manufacturing to services, logistics and healthcare, there is an increasing need to do more with less, increase efficiency while reducing cost...

Because of the high levels of variability that are present within a hospital, it is important to make every effort to provide patients with a positive experience, reduce wait times, increase efficiency and effectively utilize resources and staff. Simcad Pro is a sophisticated simulation engine that can be utilized to improve the overall efficiency of a hospital. Simcad Pro has been shown to improve staff allocation and layout of the hospital to increase efficiency of care without having to sacrifice the quality of administered care.

Hospital Patient Wait Times : One of the most unpredictable environments in the Healthcare Industry is the Emergency Department, ED. We have all been there, spending countless hours in a waiting room only to finally receive medical attention in a hallway, or if you were lucky enough to make it to an examination room, you sat hopeless, wondering if a doctor even knew that you existed. Excessive patient wait times can be tolling on the patient both physically and emotionally; affecting the morale of the patient, doctors, nurses and medical staff. Let's take a look at some of the most common contributing factors (and their implications) which lead to one of America's biggest challenges in the healthcare community today; optimizing the ED to reduce patient wait times and increase overall efficiency.

Using Simcad Pro Warehouse Simulation Software, companies proactively optimize their distribution centers by improving picking, receiving, slotting, put away and replenishment. Moreover, by optimizing picking schedules, man power and equipment optimization can be achieved.

Warehouse simulation can also help in analyzing the impact of future growth on the warehouse and help in identifying potential capacity constraints. What-if analysis can be used to determine potential impact of new flows and equipment on the operation.

Within a Lab setting, the issues of excessive wait time, excess travel time, low equipment utilization, and increased operational cost daily are always present. Within the lab setting, it is important to improve efficiency and to reduce lead time. Simcad Pro is a sophisticated simulation engine that can be utilized to improve the overall efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness within a laboratory, which in turn increases possible workload and monetary gains.

Hospital Patient Flow with Simcad Pro Health Simulation Software

With the seemingly ever increasing cost of healthcare, it is becoming more and more important to improve efficiency and to find a way to utilize resources to their fullest potential for the benefit of both the institution and the patient. After all, without patients, a medical institution would not be needed at all. This fact makes patients one of the most important factors in healthcare today. Simcad Pro Health is a sophisticated simulation engine that can be utilized to improve the overall efficiency of healthcare facilities and to improve patient flow and decrease wait times without sacrificing the quality of care being administered.

Like most sectors of the healthcare industry, pharmaceutical settings can often be unpredictable, making it difficult to achieve optimal service quality and efficiency. With the high costs associated with pharmaceuticals, it is important to optimize production and distribution time. Simcad Pro is a sophisticated simulation engine that can be utilized to improve the overall efficiency of a Pharmacy...

1.) How long has Simcad Pro been on the market?

The first version of Simcad Pro was released in February of 1996. Since then, and through customer feedback, CreateASoft successfully added most of the requested features. For that reason, Simcad Pro features list is customer driven and contains the required capabilities to handle today's complex business world.

CreateASoft, Inc. Some of Our Clients

REALTIME PREDICTIVE AND PRESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS WITH REAL-TIME DATA AND SIMULATION - This paper discusses the reusability and extensibility of simulation models and their roles in predictive and prescriptive analytics using real time data connectivity...

Supply chains are often an intricate and complicated system. Because there are so many different components that must be taken into account when examining a supply chain, it is useful to user Simcad Pro's patented dynamic simulation software. Simcad Pro allows the users to see the supply chain as a whole to make improvements in overall efficiency and accuracy, which in turn helps to cut costs and eliminate wasted time.

Automation Technologies Industries (ATI), a leader in factory automation, takes advantage of Simcad to demonstrate solution feasibility of a new conveyor line implementation for a major automotive manufacturer. The total value of this project will exceed $1.8 Million - we now have the contract and purchase order.

Implementing Simcad Pro In Your Environment Is A Simple 3 Step Process:

• 1.) Graphically create the model flow and constraints without the need for code (GUI interfaces directly to the engine)
• 2.) Make "on-the-fly" model changes to model constraints and parameters during the simulation run then view your results using Simcad Pro's built in lean reports and onscreen graphs/gauges to obtain the optimal operational improvements.

Supply Chain simulation requires the delicate balance and management of relationships between multiple companies throughout the value chain all working together to ensure the expectations of all stakeholders on both the supply and demand of the system are met and exceeded. Simcad Pro’s patented dynamic simulation environment allows for the accurate modeling of such complex systems and their components. Through integrated functionality Simcad Pro delivers integrated scenario analysis, optimization, and 2D & 3D visualization providing the required tools to make informed decisions driving continuous improvement, visibility, tracking, tractability, and systems optimization.

Improve patient wait time and increase operational efficiency in the ED / ER - One of the most unpredictable environments in the Healthcare Industry is the Emergency Department, ED. We have all been there, spending countless hours..

More and more process flow optimization and efficiency improvements are being applied to back office and document flow systems. Simcad Pro's dynamic capabilities can be used to model and analyze a vast array of office systems.

Logistics management requires careful planning and implementation in order to effectively deliver a product from a point of origin to its destination in order to meet the needs of the consumer. Because logistical mistakes can often be costly for all parties involved, it is important to analyze and optimize logistics systems. Simcad Pro's patented dynamic simulation technology allows users to create complex and intricate warehouses, manufacturing plants and transportation centers in order to encompass the full system, without the need to write code.

With the high level of activity going on within a warehouse, it is important to make every effort to reduce wait times, increase organization, optimize schedules and routes, and utilize equipment efficiently. Simcad Pro> allows the users to focus on the three building blocks of any distribution warehouse: receiving, picking and distribution. Simcad Pro's sophisticated dynamic simulation engine technology has enabled users to increase the overall efficiency of their warehouses, reduce wasted time and increase profits.

Most improvement initiatives begin with a Value Stream mapping exercise. The value stream map takes into consideration one aspect or product of the operation and analyzes the effect of waste. With a single product with no variations that flows sequentially, a static value stream is adequate. But, when analyzing multiple product interactions, non sequential flows, and the interaction among multiple value streams, the static environment fails. Moreover, static streams do not take into consideration fluctuations in demand, workforce, and other dynamic operational constraints. This patented technology is the first of its kind on the market today.

Kilgore Flares is one of four operating companies in ATK's Conventional Munitions Group. It designs and produces small, medium, and large caliber ammunition, munitions propellants, commercial gunpowder, infrared decoy flares, munitions primers and tracers. Based in the United States, Kilgore is the largest supplier of conventional IR decoys to the U.S. Department of Defense.

With all the different facets of a business, including numerous ones that are often unpredictable, it is imperative to make every effort to improve efficiency and productivity within the business. Simcad Pro Simulation Software is a sophisticated simulation engine that can be utilized for many different businesses, including the banking and insurance industry, in order to improve the transaction efficiency and accuracy of the business, which in turn will improve the business as a whole.

Dynamic Simulation for Lab Optimization can help increase efficiency - Utilizing Dynamic Simulation for Lab optimization can help increase efficiency, reduce travel time, control production. Reduce WIP and the overall operation cost...

Most simulation tools available on the market today provide an interface to allow for model creation, a simulation engine, and a post-simulation analysis tool. The user interface is setup as either a pure coding environment, or a visual interface that creates code in the background, either way, coding is required to do any type of useful modeling. After the code is built and compiled, the simulation engine would run for a set amount of time after which the user is presented with the data to be either animated or charted.