Holistic Simulation Optimisation for Sustainable and Profitable Production

Purpose and goal

The aim of this project is to develop new simulation-based methods for the optimisation and knowledge elicitation of manufacturing systems in order to support manufacturing companies to make profitable and sustainable decisions.

Results and expected effects

There is an urgent need for Swedish industry to explore strategies and methods to accelerate the efficiency progress and support decision making in order to regain profitability. Sustainability has become a paramount factor that needs to be considered not only during the operational stage but when a production system is designed. The previous MERA FACTS project has successfully demonstrated the great potential of frontloading the use of simulation methods to support the early stages of production systems design. Building upon FACTS, an integrated virtual manufacturing toolset will be developed to facilitate manufacturing companies in generating multiple optimal alternatives as well as identifying and optimising the most important parameters to support decision making in both system design/re-configuration and continuous improvement processes.

Approach and implementation

The project will develop and implement a tool that integrates discrete-event simulation, multi-objective optimisation and data mining techniques. Cost deployment models and energy models developed by the industrial partners will be integrated as well. Validation of real benefits from the business cases and customisation of the solution to individual partners will be performed.