Investigating the Influences of Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) and Effect of Layout Changing in Automotive Assembly Process

Abstract

The material handling equipment adds utilization to the performance level of the manufacturing process. Thus, by investigating the influences of AMHS and at the same time seeing the effect of changing its layout in automotive assembly process help the research in improvising the system easier and guaranteed to be success. A case study focus at the material flow of warehouse to assembly shop is done and the result show the work is done manually and has a lot of time are wasted. From the case study, an approach tool are used to simulate the system by using Delmia Quest simulation software. 4 models are simulated which consist of AGV and tugger train as transportation system, 2 layouts which are the current used layout in case study and new layout, and the supply order system which are picking list and pick-to-light system. The result shows the number of part deliveries highly increase by the changed of layout in the system in model 4. The deliveries able to achieve 3 times value from the current old system in the factory. As the system improves with the change of supply order system and layout in model 3 and 4, the idle time reduce to below 0.5 h and maintain linearly in the system. Lastly, it can be summarized that the improvement shows the influences of automated material handling system and facility layout in increasing the performance of the automotive assembly factory.