IMS 085

Simulation and optimization of sustainable production systems

Z Year 2, Study period 3-4

6 HP

 

Examine

Bjorn Johansson

E-Mail: bjorn.johansson@chalmers.se

Phone: 031 - 772 38 09

 

Lab assistant

Ninan Theradapuzha Mathew

E-Mail: ninant@chalmers.se

Phone 031 - 772 14 96

 

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge of theories, methods and engineering tools aimed at being able to develop production systems that are sustainable regarding economics, environment, and social aspects. The course aims to introduce sustainable thinking and develop such skills to increase awareness of the interaction between disciplines and their individual impact on the whole. The aim of the course is also to introduce the basics of simulation and simulation-based optimization. An important course goal is to develop a discrete event-driven simulation model of a production system where established theory of flow analysis and optimization is used to recommend improvements with a focus on economic and ecological effects.

Content

The course covers the following areas:

Theoretical basics in production systems. Theoretical basics in sustainability with regard to the relationship between economy, environment, and social aspects.

• Theoretical basics in the UN's sustainability goals.
• Theoretical basics in DES
• Theoretical basics in SO
• The basics of systematic working methodology for DES projects
• Practice in building simulation models in a DES software
• Practice in comparing and evaluating production systems based on economics, environment, and social aspects.
• Practice in designing, performing, and analyzing experiments and SO of a production system based on a DES model.

Organization

The course is partly based on problem-oriented learning where the project task is a central part that bring together simulation and simulation-based optimization to achieve sustainable production systems. The second part consists of addressing the basics of sustainability, simulation, and simulation-based optimization in order to be able to account for and practically exercise and reflect on the concepts. In summary, the course consists of the following learning activities:

• Lectures: Basis for theoretical understanding.
• Reviews: Supports the learning of modeling in DES, experimentation, and SO.
• Assignment in sustainability.
• Modeling exercises: Training in building a simulation model, preparation for project work.
• Exercises in experimentation and SO.
• Intermediate test.
• Project work: Practices skills acquired during the course, for example modeling, experimentation / SO, analysis of production flows, sustainability, and communication of results.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

LO1: Explain what sustainability means and exemplify how the constituent components relate to each other.

LO2: Compare & evaluate production systems based on economy, environment, and social aspects.

LO3: Be able to reflect on how the role as an engineer can contribute to sustainability from an individual, corporate, societal, and global perspective.

LO4: Explain the purpose of using discrete event-driven simulation (DES) and its basic concepts and meaning.

LO5: Explain the basics of simulation-based optimization (SO) and algorithms used for SO.

LO6: Explain the different steps in a simulation project.

LO7: Demonstrate applied skills in building DES models from standardized building elements.

LO8: Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate events using DES.

LO9: Plan, design and perform experiments and SO to improve a production system based on a DES model.

LO10: Demonstrate the ability to communicate and critically evaluate the results of experiments and SO of a production system based on a DES model.

Literature

• Course PM
• Presentation material from lectures
• Scientific articles
• Manuals for software

Examination including compulsory elements

To pass the course, you must pass the modules laboratory and project. The module laboratory requires an approved grade in the following parts:

• Project: Design of a Production System   - Passed on modelling exercises & report
• RENOVA study visit                                    - Mandatory participation                                
• Factory Heroes & Flipped Classroom        - Mandatory participation
• UN Global Sustainability Goals Report     - Passed on assignment in sustainability
• Dugga                                                          - Passed the intermediate test

The project module requires an approved grade in the following parts:

• Passed the project work where a report together with files for simulation and optimization is the basis.

Grading scale: Fail/Pass