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Simulating Rail Network Operation Challenges with and without the Rail Library


Simulating Rail Network Operation Challenges with and without the Rail Library

While the extensive rail library was a key reason that CSX chose AnyLogic as its general purpose simulation tool for the Network Modeling, Operations Research, and Process Excellence groups, the other libraries and methods have added significant value as well. In fact, the first major project where AnyLogic was used did not utilize the rail library. After reviewing the problem in more detail, a discrete-event simulation model was built to help managers studying train throughput. The model simulated the demand of empty trains from five coal mines, as well as the fulfillment of the demand. A supply-chain-like network model was created, which implemented logic to depict the demand, supply and staging of empty trains. The trains were modeled as moving entities across the network. By varying values of relevant parameters, users can infer the impacts of different factors to the train throughput (i.e. siding staging capacity and loading speeds at the coal mines). The model provides a way for decision makers to gain insight into the system to help identify the maximum possible throughput. The objective was to identify the best operational/capital strategy to handle the increased business.

Analysis of Management Strategies for Aircraft Production Ramp-up


Analysis of Management Strategies for Aircraft Production Ramp-up

Growing competition and a high demand for individual and highly sophisticated products in combination with shorter innovation cycles is leading to a rising number of ramp-ups especially in Small batch production. Daily challenges such as late changes and missing maturity of high Technology products and processes create significant risks. Since 2012 a group of 14 European companies and research institutes have developed novel planning and control solutions in the European public funded project ARUM (Adaptive Production Management; www.arum-project.eu) to overcome those challenges in production ramp-up. The validation of the developed control strategies and their implementation into novel planning and scheduling solutions within a realistic industrial environment is mandatory and several industrial use Cases have been selected, e.g. an Airbus system installation flowline in Hamburg.

Manufacturing Capacity Planning for an Ice Cream Plant


Manufacturing Capacity Planning for an Ice Cream Plant

Conaprole, the biggest dairy production company in Uruguay, produces more than 150 SKUs in their ice cream plant, using five production lines, and up to five different packaging configurations for each line. The company plans ice cream production on a 12-month rolling basis as part of the Sales & Operations Planning process, and the demand plan varies a lot due to seasonality. The factory management needs to prepare the production lines for the peak season during the low season, taking into account product shelf life and the warehouse’s freezing cameras’ capacity and costs. In addition, management found it very difficult to reschedule quickly their detailed plans due to the challenges they faced including bottlenecks, production process constraints, and staff turnover.

Shaping Healthcare Policy Using Simulation


Shaping Healthcare Policy Using Simulation

An initiative of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, the Centre for Research in Healthcare Engineering (CRHE) is a response to the immediate and compelling desire for efficiency and quality improvements in the Canadian health care system. CRHE is committed to both research and education in the field of healthcare delivery. From an academic perspective, their work falls into two categories: research and service. A study completed by the Commenwealth Fund Commision (http://www.commonwealthfund.org/) ranked Canada very low in the categories of quality of health care, access to health care, efficiency, equity and expenditures. This study among others, prompted the CRHE to dedicate a research project that would test potential changes in Canadian healthcare policy that could increase the quality of patient care.

Webinar: Delivery Fleet Optimization with GIS


Webinar: Delivery Fleet Optimization with GIS

Join us for the“Delivery Fleet Optimization with GIS” webinar May 28th at 12noon CST for a step-by-step process of building a supply chain model with real-time GIS features and optimization capabilities. Webinar Objectives: - Build a regional supply network - Integrate real-time GIS technology - Optimize the delivery fleet assets - Enrich the simulation by integrating additional data sources Webinar attendees will receive the model source code, all necessary associated files and how-to-build written instructions.

Managing River Logistics with Simulation


Managing River Logistics with Simulation

Inland waterway logistics have their own special aspects that include high seasonality due to weather conditions, long delivery times, restricted door-to-door delivery capabilities, and more. On the other hand, river transport is cheap, environmentally friendly, and allows large amounts of goods to be carried. Barges are widely used to carry both bulk cargo and containers. Simulation can help companies justify switching to river logistics by comparing water transportation to other means in terms of costs, throughput, or shipping time. Shipping operators can use simulation to optimize routing and fleet management policies, taking into account uncertainties, breakdowns, bottlenecks, weather conditions, and water level. The following is a success story of river transport simulation-based optimization in South America.

Disaster Response Applications Using Agent-Based Modeling


Disaster Response Applications Using Agent-Based Modeling

Battelle is the world’s largest, non-profit, independent R&D organization, and is a worldwide leader in the development, commercialization, and transfer of technology. They manage or co-manage laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and an international nuclear laboratory in the United Kingdom. Battelle developed a disaster response solution for a federal government agency using AnyLogic, and in particular, agent-based modeling due to its multimethod capabilities. Joe Simkins, Economist at Battelle shared the solution with the AnyLogic community during the AnyLogic Conference 2013 in Washington D.C. Joe works in the fields of applied microeconomics, emergent simulation, and behavioral economics with experience in a wide variety of project applications ranging from health care to disaster response.

AnyLogic Conference 2015: Call for Presenters


AnyLogic Conference 2015: Call for Presenters

The fourth annual AnyLogic Conference will continue to prove the power of collaboration, not only with the AnyLogic team, but other experienced model developers. We are now excepting submissions for 2015 Conference presenters. AnyLogic Conference presenters are leaders in their field, and experienced AnyLogic users that bring innovative ideas and create a thought-provoking environment for attendees. Do you have a recent project utilizing AnyLogic? The AnyLogic community including the AnyLogic Team, advocates of the software, and potential users, are eager to hear your success story. Visit the Conference webpage for submission guidelines and to learn more about the AnyLogic Conference 2015.

GE Manufacturing Plant Uses AnyLogic for Real Time Decision Support


GE Manufacturing Plant Uses AnyLogic for Real Time Decision Support

“This is how GE does ‘startups’ – putting our researchers, manufacturing talent and commercial teams to work to create technology that serves customer needs around the world,” Immelt (CEO) said. “GE Energy Storage was born in New York’s Capital Region from an idea that we turned into an advanced manufacturing plant and a global business that we expect will generate more than $1 billion in revenue annually in just a few years.” (www.ecomagination.com, 2012) In 2012, GE opened a new battery manufacturing plant in conjunction with the launch of an innovative energy storage business. The new Durathon battery products, which are half the size of conventional lead acid batteries, but last ten times longer, are the result of GE’s $100 million initial investment in battery technology developed at GE’s Global Research Center (geenergystorage.com, 2014). Expanding the facility doubled production, added 100 new jobs, and brought the total factory workforce to 450 when at full capacity (geenergystorage.com, 2014).

AnyLogic 7.1 Demo Featuring GIS


AnyLogic 7.1 Demo Featuring GIS

Tom Baggio, Sr. Solutions Architect at AnyLogic North America guides you through model building demonstrations that showcase some of our newest features, including the innovative GIS capabilities. The implementation of GIS gives you access to all data stored along with online-based map providers (i.e. Open Street Map): cities, regions, road networks, objects (hospitals, schools, bus stops, etc.). Video demonstration segments include building a route between two cities with trucks moving along the map, looking for a destination based on the shortest route, regional perspective of GIS capabilities, a supply chain demo, and an overview of general user improvements.