Mapping Forging Industry Manufacturing Optimization Approaches to Port Operations

Abstract

The layout facility problem has been broadly studied in manufacturing as a key factor for optimizing material flow and managing the supply of material for machines. Due to the complexity of the problem, simulations are usually applied in order to analyse the performance of the proposed layout solutions and predict their efficacy. As material routing presents the main issue when observing the production line supply there are apparent similarities with port operations. In this paper we explore the option to use the simulation approach of layout optimization in manufacturing to port operations.