Simulation Optimization of the Prototype for Hybrid Production of Multi-Type Products

This paper studies the hybrid production dynamics of an intelligent manufacturing prototype platform for assorted candies’ packaging called iCandyBox. The dependence between the maximum allowed number of workpieces in progress (WIP) and the circuit-breaker time which determine WIP’s priority is explored, and their effect on the iCandyBox’s production performance is assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study utilizes a three-dimensional simulation model to conduct the experiments. The simulation results indicate that when the WIP increases and circuit-breaker time remains unchanged, the iCandyBox prototype exhibits four typical modes: layered mode, fluctuating mode, congestion mode, and dead-lock mode. In such a case, the throughput (inversely proportional to production efficiency) changes in the shape of the letter V, and the process dynamics worsens. Similarly, fixing the maximal WIP while increasing the circuit-breaker time does not significantly impact the production efficiency, but the process dynamics worsen. The results demonstrate that a positive linear relationship between maximum work in progress and circuit-breaker time should be maintained to optimize production efficiency and process dynamics.