POM Flowline Optimizer is a software system for the analytical performance evaluation and optimization of flow
production systems with limited
buffers. The computations are based on the newest results of queueing
theory that are adapted to the specific requirements of flow lines, such as automative body shops or machining lines. The results are available within seconds and the quality of the approximations
is very good, which has been proven with the help of a large number of simulation
experiments based on industrial data.
POM Flowline Optimizer can be used to study the performance of linear flow lines with stochastic processing times as well as flexible transfer lines with deterministic processing times and failures having a linear or an assembly material flow. For each type
of flow production system very efficient specialized algorithms for the performance evaluation are implemented. In
addition to the performance evaluation of
a given system configuration POM Flowline Optimizer includes
algorithms for the automatic optimization of the number and allocation of buffers between the stations.
The following types of problems can be solved:
| Given ... |
POM Flowline Optimizer finds ... |
- a specified total number of buffer spaces
|
- the optimal allocation of these
buffer spaces among the stations.
|
- a target production rate (throughput;
quantity per time unit).
|
- the mininum number of buffer spaces including the optimal allocation of these
buffer spaces among the stations.
|
Besides
the standard interactive modus, POM Flowline Optimizer can
also be used automatically in a command line modus. If applied this way, POM Flowline Optimizer can become part of overall workflow approaches for factory planning (e.g. a
combination with simulation is possible). With the help of an XML-based data structure, POM Flowline Optimizer can be integrated seamlessly into planning approaches such as "Virtual Factory" or "Virtual Production".
POM Flowline Optimizer is successfully applied by several major german automotive producers as well as by other companies.
Download a Powerpoint Demo of POM Flowline Optimizer
Related literature:
Horst Tempelmeier:
Practical considerations in the optimization of flow production systems, in: International Journal of Production Research 41(2003), S. 149-170 (Download pdf)
Horst Tempelmeier:
The Quality of Approximation Algorithms implemented in the Flow Line Planning Software FlowEval - Numerical Results, Technical Report, University of Cologne, February 2004 (Download pdf)
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Overview