Integrating Economic Performance and Process Simulation Models in Evaluating Sawmill Design Alternatives

Authors

  • Roger J. Meimban
  • Guillermo A. Mendoza
  • Honorio Carino

Keywords:

Process simulation, machine breakdown, economic performance

Abstract

This paper describes a simulation study that combines an economic performance measure and a process simulation model. This integrated approach is capable of capturing the operational and cost behavior of a sawmill system over time by taking into consideration the effects of the stochastic occurrence of machine breakdowns and other processing delays. The method is demonstrated using an actual design problem involving a profiler chipper-canter mill.

References

Adams, E. L. 1984. DESIM: A system for designing and simulating hardwood sawmill systems. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-89, Broomall, PA.nAune, J. E., and E. L. Lefebvre. 1975. Small-log sawmill systems in Western Canada. Western Forest Products Laboratory, Information Report No. VP-X-141.nBoer, C. R., and V. Metzler. 1986. Economic evaluation of advanced manufacturing systems by means of simulation. Material Flow 3(4)215-224.nCarino, H. F. 1979. Designing a small-log sawmill system for maximum volume productivity at minimum cost. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.nCarino, H. F., and J. L. Bowyer. 1979. New tool for solving materials flow problem: A computer-based model for maximizing output at minimum cost. Forest Prod. J. 29(10):84-90.nCarino, H. F., and J. L. Bowyer. 1981. Sawmill analysis using queueing theory combined with a direct search optimizing algorithm. Forest Prod. J. 31(6):31-40.nCoolidge, L. D., and J. R. Pfeiffer. 1956. Cost estimating for wood industries. Oregon Forest Products Lab., Inf. Circular No. 9, Corvallis, OR.nPegden, C. D. 1986. Introduction to SIMAN. Systems Modeling Corporation, State College, PA.n

Downloads

Published

2007-06-28

Issue

Section

Research Contributions