Evaluating the Production Capacity of the future Final Assembly Line at Heart Aerospace A simulation study

Abstract

This research study focuses on investigating the capacity of Hearts' intended Final Assembly Line by examining its sensitivity to variation and differences in the average required manhours to complete the assembly of one aircraft. The main objective is to understand how the FAL should be developed to achieve a given production output. This research is crucial because it enables informed decision-making during the design and implementation of the FAL, considering the multitude of factors involved. Currently, there is uncertainty surrounding the information related to these factors, and further investigations are needed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, various methodologies were employed, where the most prominent one was a discrete event simulation model. The findings revealed that the studied assembly line is highly sensitive to both the average man-hours required for aircraft assembly and variations within the system. Additionally, it was discovered that Hearts' previous calculation of required operators differs from the findings of the study due to several reasons. These findings hold great importance for multiple reasons. Firstly, they provide validation for the assumptions made by Heart. Secondly, they offer a new perspective on the capacity of the intended FAL, highlighting the areas where adjustments and improvements are necessary. Lastly, the findings act as a catalyst for stimulating discussions within the organization, encouraging further exploration and refinement of the FAL design and production planning processes.