Capacity assignment of virtual manufacturing cells by applying lot size harmonization

Decentralized manufacturing cells minimize the lead time of products. Howev er, technical and economical restrictions can prohibit the installation of permanent cells. A possibility to overcome these restrictions is 'virtual m anufacturing cells'. These cells are defined by production teams who are re sponsible for the complete process of a group of products. Unlike permanent cells, the layout can be kept in a workshop structure. This results in a d ouble competition between the orders and between production teams for the u se of capacities. A new approach to solving this double competition is to l imit the occupation time of capacity units. Combined with alternating acces s to resources by the production teams, this ensures a clearly defined orde r sequence. A successful way to achieve the limitation of occupation time i s the harmonization of lot sizes. This analytical method should be supporte d by simulation to consider the dynamic behaviour. The authors have develop ed a simulation reference model to limit the expense of simulation studies for this purpose.