Simulation-based approach to improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness analysis in construction manufacturing

Abstract

This thesis describes productivity improvement at a window and door manufacturing company using DES (discrete event simulation) and OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) analysis. The primary goal of this research is to propose improvements to an existing manufacturing process and prove the effectiveness of the various scenarios using simulation software and performance indicators. The stations belonging to the production line under study are described in detail in order to understand the impact each has on the production line. Then, areas of improvement are identified, and changes are proposed using a simulation program developed by researchers at the University of Alberta. For the OEE analysis, the goal is to facilitate the identification of manufacturing wastes (material- and productivity-related) and to create a plan to approach and mitigate manufacturing wastes and observe the impact of resource availability, production performance, and final product quality improvement.