A FRAMEWORK AND A SIMULATION GENERATOR FOR KANBAN-CONTROLLED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

A generalized framework for the definition of kanban-controlled manufa cturing systems and a simulation generator based on this framework are introduced in this paper. Kanbans are used between and within worksta tions to trigger product dow or production. The simulation generator i s capable of modeling complex manufacturing systems with multiple part s, multiple work centers and multiple processes at each work center. M ultiple process definition capability enables users to define converge nt and divergent points in a manufacturing system. Several decision ru les are defined and incorporated into the generator. The simulation ge nerator can be used as a completely interactive tool that is data-driv en and requires no programming skills. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.