A matrix approach in system dynamics simulations: The case of flow shop layout architecture in PTO production environment

This paper arises from the need to give an answer to a problem of optimization of industrial production in conditions of high rigidity of production constraints. In particular, the production architecture is that of a set of work centers arranged in a typical flow shop. This architecture presents the inability to change the order of machining operations. This implies that the problems of optimization by the latter were always resolved by a classical approach to scheduling. The approach presented in this work uses a System Dynamics simulation model that in despite of an apparent greater complexity if compared to a classical approach, allows, basing on the use of matrices, to identify at each instant the position and the confluence of each single order, and also to decide in a dynamic way operations planning at each work center. This approach has been implemented in a case study but shows to be enough general to be applicable to any company.