An Introduction to Models and Probability Concepts (original) (raw)
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A Systemic Approach to Consider Complexity in Sawmill Modeling
Wood and Fiber Science, 2007
The lumber industry is challenged to operate more efficiently. Sawmill systems use much equipment with various technologies and their management methods are very much influenced by size of operation, employee skills, hierarchy levels, and the high volatility of softwood lumber commodity markets. Because of interactions between the different manufacturing system components, its management becomes a complex matter. It is therefore difficult to assess the effect of given perturbations or improvements on the overall system. This study proposes a modeling approach based on the concept of system that provides a comprehensive view for modeling and analyzing sawmill systems. Adaptations of existing formalisms to represent operating, information, and decision sub-systems are put forward, while assembling these three sub-systems in an overall model gives a new vision of the sawmill and a powerful tool for systems integration. This modeling approach could be used for diagnostic as well as for ...
The Use of Simulation and Design of Experiments for Productivity Improvement in the Sawmill Industry
2004
This work presents a discrete event simulation model of an important sawmill in Chile. This model was used to perform a bottleneck analysis of the wood process and to propose, based on these results, alternatives that would yield to an improvement in the process productivity. Different alternatives were simulated and the results obtained were used to perform a full factorial design in order to select the combination of factors that have the most important impact in the process productivity. The implementation of these improvement measures could increase the wood production up to a 25%.
Improving Forest Operations Management through Applied Research
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A great challenge of applied research is translating results into industry innovation. Increasingly, forest managers do not have the capacity to interpret research results but prefer to be presented with tools based on the research results that can be readily implemented. The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Forestry, based in Australia, has focused on delivering research results to industry partners in novel ways that can be easily applied in the field. This paper discusses six approaches taken by the CRC to help transfer applied research results to industry, including basic benchmarking curves for feller-bunchers, a toolbox for operational machine evaluation, a productivity model, a method to predict productivity with existing data, a guide for effective use of onboard computers and an optimised transportation planning tool. For each approach the paper will discuss how these approaches were developed and applied with industry collaboration. Croat. j. for. eng. 32(2011)2 M. Brown et al. Improving Forest Operations Management through Applied Research (471-480)
Simulation technique for modelling the production chain in forestry
European Journal of Forest Research, 2004
The application of standard industrial simulation software for technical production in forestry is investigated. By strictly separating forestry activities, stand characteristics, and operating specifics in a simulation model, a multipurpose tool can be created. It can be used for planning, optimising and controlling technical activities, as well as for educational purposes. Some difficulties in the development process are discussed.
A simulation model for planning and control of forest harvesting operations
1972
Chairman: Professor Antal Kozak This thesis describes a methodology for examining problems associated with the management and control of forest harvesting operations. The methodology developed i s one of a systems simulation with general applicability that permits experimentation with a wide class of logging configurations. A model, capable of simulating multi-source, singlesink configurations with variable internode distances, with -various equipment types and combinations, and with various parameters and functional relationships, i s described. Written in FORTRAN IV, the model allows independent users to make modifications in the routine to adapt them to the particular operating rules and policies of their operations. The "va l i d i t y " of the model i s tested and demonstrated for an actual West Coast logging division used as a vehicle for model formulation. The verification procedure involves the examination of the assumptions and rules of operation of the model subs...
A systemic approach for sawmill modeling
Wood and fiber …, 1995
To illustrate how to perform sawmill modeling through the systemic approach, an independent sawmill and a sawmill integrated to a pulp complex were selected and modeled. Applications of a methodology for modeling the operation, information, and decision subsystems are presented. Comprehensive diagrams assembling the different subsystems for both sawmills are built. The fitness of this approach for the diagnosis of integration problems is shown. Examples of integration problems between production and administrative information systems, as well as organizational aspects of integration, are discussed. The systemic models appear to be useful tools to share a common vision of the organization and its mission.
Central European Forestry Journal
Modelling in forestry sciences, high technologies and decision-support systems in forestry and wood-processing Dear readers, We live in an extremely dynamic period characterised by enormous progress in technologies and information in all sectors, including forestry and wood-processing industry. The level of application of information and communication technologies, expert systems, and decision-making systems to the production sphere as well as to the organisational structures of enterprises is in fact considered an important criterion of the company's maturity. Research in the forestry sector is currently aiming to support the transition to a more sustainable model that will make forests more resilient to the impacts of climate change and that will ensure more efficient use and increased valorisation of resources. Industry 4.0 (Cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things and Services, Big data, Cloud computing, Artificial intelligence) opens up new pathways to enhance technological and economic development. However, Industry 4.0 concepts need increased and targeted efforts to be adapted in the forest research domain and the forestbased sector, to fully exploit these new opportunities for sustainable forest management and industrial growth. The main objective of the issue is to provide insights to the state of research related to ICT technologies implementation in the Central European macro-region. It addresses main trends and priorities in three areas: 1) Forest modelling and visualisation; 2) Lidar and satellite remote sensing applications, and 3) Expert and decision support systems in forestry.
A log inventory model and a real-time hardwood process simulation model were developed and combined into an integrated production planning and control system for hardwood sawmills. The log inventory model was designed to monitor and periodically update the status of the logs in the log yard. The process simulation model was designed to estimate various sawmill performance parameters taking into account the different static and dynamic features of a sawmill. Besides the log inventory and simulation models, the system also has a front-end spreadsheet-based optimizer for determining optimal log input mix. Thus, the integrated system has the capability to determine the optimal lumber production schedule (including log input mix) which is also operationally feasible on real-time.
Simulation and Optimization Techniques for Sawmill Yard Operations—A Literature Review
Journal of Intelligent Learning Systems and Applications, 2014
Increasing costs and competitive business strategies are pushing sawmill enterprises to make an effort for optimization of their process management. Organizational decisions mainly concentrate on performance and reduction of operational costs in order to maintain profit margins. Although many efforts have been made, effective utilization of resources, optimal planning and maximum productivity in sawmill are still challenging to sawmill industries. Many researchers proposed the simulation models in combination with optimization techniques to address problems of integrated logistics optimization. The combination of simulation and optimization technique identifies the optimal strategy by simulating all complex behaviours of the system under consideration including objectives and constraints. During the past decade, an enormous number of studies were conducted to simulate operational inefficiencies in order to find optimal solutions. This paper gives a review on recent developments and challenges associated with simulation and optimization techniques. It was believed that the review would provide a perfect ground to the authors in pursuing further work in optimizing sawmill yard operations.