การเลือกผังสายการผลิตด้วยวิธีการจำลองสถานการณ์ : กรณีศึกษากระบวนการผลิตในอุตสาหกรรมแปรรูปกระจก วเรศรา วีระวัฒน์ *ศรีสุรางค์ ขอดเตชะ และหทัยรัตน์ ทวีทรัพย์ไพบูลย์ ภาควิชาวิศวกรรมอุตสาหการ, คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์, มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล

Abstract
When combining glass, films or decorating materials are placed between two sheets, then compressed with a heat source and air pressure. In our case study of a glass processing plant, machines for the new process of storing film (Climate box) and compression (Hoaf) for its fabric combining room are to be installed for quality improvement and capacity expansion. We identify the best machines location and rearrange the new layout. Two new layouts for each room were developed based on the plant layout principle: using string diagram, relationship chart and dimensionless block diagram. Different locations of the edges-smooth glass processing table, glass-combining table and climate box were proposed. Each layout results in either better material flow or reduced walking distance. A simulation model, with additional key measures, such as daily production, cycle time, and production waiting time, was used to evaluate the layout selection. Product mix variety and the resource usage factors were considered in the model. Simulation and analysis suggest selecting the M2 layout for the manual pressing room since productivity can increase by 18%, while using fewer people. For the fabric combining room, we choose the F1 layout giving 35% higher productivity, with 29% less waiting time.

Keywords: Glass industry, Plant layout, Process improvement, Simulation, Arena modeling