Simulation and layout of a laser radar production facility

• Published in: Proceedings of the 21st conference on Winter simulation pp. 892 - 895
• Main Authors: Lehman, S. J., Davison, W. R.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY, USA ACM 01.10.1989
• Series: ACM Conferences
• Subjects: Applied computing > Operations research > Computer-aided manufacturing; Applied computing > Operations research > Industry and manufacturing > Command and control; Computing methodologies > Modeling and simulation
• ISBN: 0911801588; 9780911801583
• DOI: 10.1145/76738.76851

As manufacturing operations expand or contract with changing economic climates, there is a need to identify alternative office, factory and plant space requirements. These analyses may include the rearranging of office or factory space, the addition of new facilities and equipment, or the contraction and consolidation of existing space. Often, this analysis is required in a short time with personnel awaiting the results before beginning construction.Such was the case at the United Technology Optical Systems (UTOS) facility in West Palm Beach, Florida where production of a laser radar system was to be undertaken. A limited amount of space was available for production and it was not known whether this area could be effectively used for manufacturing. Production floor space is a commodity that is hotly contested for within a facility that manufactures several product lines. The laser radar production group was being pressured to finalize their space and equipment requirements as soon as possible, adding to the urgency.This paper describes a program undertaken by the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) to develop a simulation model of the proposed laser radar facility and by exercising the model, to assist UTOS in identifying output and production capabilities. The results of this analysis were used as a basis for developing a layout of the production and clean room areas indicating the actual number and location of the equipment needed to meet the desired production schedule.