Simulation and optimisation of an automated handling and transport system for tool management

Abstract

The aircraft industry plays a crucial role across various sectors, leading to a significant demand for the manufacturing of essential components. Metal cutting, a prevalent operation for producing these components, is notably time-consuming and involves tough materials due to strict requirements, expectations, and standards. This necessitates a variety of tools and frequent tool changes, both costly and timeconsuming, making machine availability critical. Various studies and concepts, such as industrial robots and automated transport solutions, have been explored for automated tool handling. This study investigates these automated solutions to assess their impact on production performance and optimize tool management. Utilizing Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and creating a flexible simulation model, this thesis provides a foundational and flexible model for further research and investigations. By observing and experimenting with these automated solutions, the study identified opportunities to replace the non-value-adding activities and reduce downtime due to missing tools. The findings offer insights into the necessary steps to realize a fully automated solution and suggest areas for further research to advance towards becoming a "Smart Factory." This research aims to position GKN as a pioneer in automation and efficiency within the aircraft industry, highlighting the potential benefits of fully automated tool handling solutions in reducing costs and improving production performance. The study concludes with recommendations for future research and steps needed to implement these advancements