Using WITNESS simulation software as a validation tool for an industrial plant layout

Modeling and Simulation techniques are often powerful tools devoted to analyze the best layout for an industrial plant. In fact, these methodologies allow investigating the most suitable features or parameters regarding for instance buffer capacities or the number and type of machines and facilities, like for in-stance handling means. In literature, there are many examples of simulation models aiming at reproducing different plant layouts through the use of “What if” analysis. The focus of this work is on a plant layout simulation model developed by the Department of Production Engineering, Thermoenergetics and Mathematical Models of the University of Genoa, with the use of the commercial software WITNESS™, that enables the discrete event simulation. After the description of the model, the results obtained are presented and discussed, highlighting the importance of using this kind of simulation for layout design purposes.