The engineering behind the decision.
Simulation consulting and FlexSim project support for manufacturing, warehouses and material flow. Build a new model, review an existing one, or test the next operational decision.
Our approach+
Discrete event simulation represents a plant as a sequence of events in time rather than as a set of averages, so blocking, starvation, breakdowns, changeovers and queueing all show up in the result instead of being assumed away. We build these in FlexSim, validate them against a period the plant already knows the answer for, and only then use them to compare options. A model that has not been validated is an opinion with a 3D view attached.
Selecting the right modeling approach+
A spreadsheet may be enough for a stable process or an average-capacity estimate. Simulation becomes useful when variation, shared resources, failures and queues interact. We choose the method around the decision, rather than commission a 3D model for every question.
Validating the model+
The baseline model is run against a period with known operating records. We compare agreed measures with what happened, investigate discrepancies and document limits before using the model for future scenarios. A realistic animation alone is not evidence that the model represents the operation.
Comparing operational scenarios+
Layouts, buffer sizes, fleet sizes, shift patterns, schedules and sequencing rules, each compared on the same basis and against the same demand. The model tends to outlive the question it was built for, which is where a good deal of its value ends up.