tms has decades of experience in modelling, simulation and software development. It was mainly set up for system analyses and technology studies of defence issues. Since 1998, we have also provided this know-how to solve industrial and economic optimisation problems. This has already lead to our completion of several projects, which are listed here as examples.
Examples of simulation projects
The availability of a planned car body production line was simulated and optimised for the firm Comau. We were able to propose restructuring without any costs for additional materials, and increased the availability under the given assumptions by 7%.
The distribution centre example was used to check reorganisation of the order-picking zone and the corresponding handling and conveying technology planned by Albert Ackermann GmbH & Co. KG. The result was prevention of a bad investment, as the simulation proved that the proposed solution could not achieve the required performances.
A model was also prepared for Ackermann which revealed optimisation potential in the decentrally organised production and enabled the manufacturing cell managers to quantitatively assess, at an early stage, the consequences of possible alternative planning.
A model with a similar objective of optimised employee deployment planning was drawn up for DEUTA Werke GmbH. Here too, alternatives were assessed by means of simulation and the weekly production schedules were checked.
The last two examples took place before development of the SIGNAL product. The experience acquired from these two projects was directly incorporated in the development of SIGNAL.