Improving efficiency of material flows in an automotive assembly plant:A case study

Abstract

This paper investigates the in-plant logistics processes in automotive manufacturing and specifically, the material flows between the storage facility, the production lines, and the internal returns area. The aim is to improve the efficiency of the plant by looking at the current material flows of the case study company. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected through interviews and personal observations and was analysed. Using discrete event-based simulation, the current material flows were investigated. Our analysis showed that in plant's internal returns area efficiency gains are possible by reducing traffic congestion. A solution with minor changes in the layout was proposed and tested which showed an increase in the capacity of the system and a reduction in delays.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirpj.2021.10.008
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering > Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Aston Logistics and Systems Institute
Funding Information: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Assembly plant,Automotive,Internal returns area,Material flows,Simulation,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Publication ISSN: 1755-5817
Last Modified: 12 Mar 2024 08:29
Date Deposited: 25 May 2023 15:30
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
https://www.sci ... 1693?via%3Dihub (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2021-11-08
Published Online Date: 2021-11-08
Accepted Date: 2021-10-19
Authors: Thanou, Evanthia (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-4894-4783)
Matopoulos, Aristides (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-5083-0534)

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