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Abstract
The automotive industry is an example of flow production and manufacturing efficiency. Its performance is based on making the right decisions on strategic, tactical and operational processes. Discrete-event simulation is the tool of choice to verify such strategic decisions. As the use of the tool is complex, the task of verifying suitable solutions is accomplished by simulation experts and limited to high-priority projects. For the optimisation of operational processes, companies have established lean initiatives with real-time monitoring systems to measure production processes and to reveal bottlenecks. The improvement process is often based on trial and error and could be strongly supported by discrete-event simulation. Based on a use case of an assembly line in the automotive industry, we propose an approach in which running production environments benefit from simulation experiments without any intensive support by simulation experts. Besides introducing a new work procedure, the goal is to extend the current tool set and to simplify the use of discrete-event simulation tools for daily application by production engineers, by providing new visualisation and interaction interfaces to support decisions on tactical measures and, thus, prevent system instabilities and blocked line conditions. Finally, initial results are described in the conclusion to this article.