This paper presents a method to measure work-in-process and leadtime in a manufacturing system. The method consists of modeling manufacturing by Petri nets, providing as input for the model the initial load of the process and a production plan, running it and obtaining from the simulation the moments of completion of the orders. Using the throughput diagram and the funnel formula, we then calculate the mean simulated value of the work-in-process that the plan will produce in the manufacturing system. Finally, we discuss how the results can be used to underpin management decisions on issues such as actual work-in-process, buffers and manufacturing constraints.
Petri nets in manufacturing; Queues in manufacturing; Work-in-process measurement; Leadtime measurement; Simulation in manufacturing
