The papers assembled in this Special Issue are based on excellent contributions from the 16th ASIM Dedicated Conference on Simulation in Production and Logistics, which took place in September 2015 at the TU Dortmund Technical University (Germany). This conference highlights, on a bi-annual basis, the role of simulation as a decision support instrument for planning, ramp-up, and operation of complex production and logistics systems.
In Dortmund, some focus has become visible on the combination of simulation with heuristic optimization approaches, also known as ‘simheuristics.’ Clausen et al present a framework that links discrete event simulation with optimization for the analysis and design of transhipment container terminals, in order to consider large and complex manual and automatic systems. Gruler et al combine simulation and optimization in logistics for the application in waste collection. The approach allows for considering multiple depots and stochastic demand, in contrast to the traditional models that assume continuous and steady demand. Keramydas et al investigate the joint design of globalized supply chains, relaxing the narrow constraints required by analytical optimization.
Deepened interest is also recognizable in data for simulation under uncertain or not fully known conditions. As an interesting sample for this development, Steinhauer et al use simulation for the early phase of the shipbuilding process, where the product design is not yet complete. Their approach relies on historical data from earlier ship designs in order to deal with the uncertainties to be expected in production times and capacities. Bergmann et al investigate in automatic model generation with a focus on control strategies. They propose a method exploiting data mining and machine learning approaches for emulating job scheduling decisions.
While simulation can be considered interdisciplinary per se, it is still absolutely interesting to combine it with further auxiliary disciplines. Conrads et al combine discrete event simulation with system dynamics. They present a performance forecast model for mechanized tunnel boring projects focusing on wear and maintenance processes of the cutting tools and show the influence of different maintenance strategies on the system performance. Yücesan et al bring simulation together with finance, demonstrating the application of simulation in order to better understand the implications of working capital constraints in inventory management, with a focus on firms that are self-financing and face difficulties in external financing.
All authors significantly enriched their original contributions for this Special Issue and provided interesting insights in the spectrum of the conference. The editors hope that you will enjoy this Special Issue and find valuable aspects in the contributions. Should you feel inspired, the next chance to personally experience the conference environment where these papers originate from is in September 2017 in Kassel, Germany.
Sincerely,
The Editors
Markus Rabe, TU Dortmund
Uwe Clausen, TU Dortmund
Sigrid Wenzel, Universität Kassel
In the name of the ASIM Dedicated Conference