An opportunity for system dynamics in manufacturing system modelling

The computer simulation of manufacturing systems is commonly carried out us ing discrete event simulation (DES). Indeed, there appears to be a lack of applications of continuous simulation methods, particularly system dynamics (SD), despite evidence that this technique is suitable for industrial mode lling. This paper investigates whether this is due to a decline in the gene ral popularity of SD: or whether modelling of manufacturing systems represe nts a missed opportunity for SD. On this basis, the paper first gives a rev iew of the concept of SD and fully describes the modelling technique. Follo wing on, a survey of the published applications of SD in the 1990s is made by developing and using a structured classification approach. From this rev iew, observations are made about the application of the SD method and oppor tunities for future research are suggested.