A Framework for Rescheduling a Fixed-Layout Assembly System Using Discrete-Event Simulation

This paper presents a framework for the rescheduling of Fixed-Layout Assembly (FLA) systems. It relies on the automatic generation of a Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) model. FLA systems are used for the assembly of large and bulky products in small volume. Because of their characteristics, they are subject to lots of disturbances and plan deviations throughout the execution stage. Planners currently use their experience to forecast the impact of these changes on the whole assembly system and to imagine new scheduling scenarios. Conventional DES methods are adapted to inflexible and automated manufacturing systems and are often not used for FLA systems. Planners would strongly benefit from a simple and effective solution to quickly forecast the impact of errors and new scheduling scenarios on the whole assembly system. The framework presented in this paper addresses this problem.