Simulation models applied to the planning of non-reliable production systems.

The objective of this paper is to discuss the results obtained in Rivera-Gómez et al. [1], who compared three simulation models applied to the production control of a non-reliable manufacturing system. The system is considered as a complex optimal control model, since analytical solutions are known only for some simple cases. Therefore, alternative solutions are necessary. ARENA simulation software is used to accurately reproduce the dynamics and stochastic behavior of such a manufacturing system. In the literature some authors have found analytical solutions for this type of systems, as in Akella and Kumar [2], and Bielecki and Kumar [3]. Additionally, simulation has proven to be an effective tool, as indicated in the works of Kenné et al. [4], Errasti et al. [5], Gharbi et al. [6] and Rivera-Gómez et al. [7]. In this research the performance of the simulation models is evaluated, based on two indicators: i) accuracy, and ii) time economy.