A system dynamics model for a multi-stage multi-line dual-card JIT-kanban system

SUMMARY

Just-in-time production systems are gaining tremendous popularity in modern production environments. Based on the concept of producing exactly the required quantity and type of products, these systems display an excellent ability to adapt to changes in demand as well as permitting greatly reduced work-in-process inventories.

JIT systems often make reference to ‘kanbans’, which are the inventory control cards used in most JIT environments. A JIT-kanban system is one where production is pulled through the process rather than conventional materials requirements planning push. This fundamental difference is what gives JIT-kanban systems their unique characteristics.

This paper investigates some of these unique characteristics of JIT-kanban systems by way of a dynamic simulation model. Using system-dynamic concepts, the behaviour of the system under the stimulus of various exogeneous factors is demonstrated.