The use of simulation in the reengineering of technological processes of rolling stock units

The paper considers the use of simulation modeling in the reengineering of technological processes for repairing rolling stock units on the example of repairing a bogie model 18-578 of an open-top car. The most time-consuming sub-process of repairing the bolster of this bogie was considered as the object of reengineering. Three options for reengineering of this subprocess were considered, implying a complete replacement of the technological equipment currently in use at repair operations (positions) with more efficient positions of the subprocess. To substantiate the choice of the most preferable reengineering option, the values of such indicators of the functioning of the subprocess under consideration as its productivity per shift (throughput), the load factor of the resources used at the repair positions, the volume of work in progress at the end of the shift, the number of workers employed in production and the costs associated with the possible purchase of new technological equipment. Simulation modeling of the functioning of the considered sub-process of bogie bolster repair was carried out on the basis of the methods of the queuing theory. The construction of simulation models and their assessment of the above indicators were carried out in the Arena RockWell Software environment. When developing simulation models for each of the possible options for reengineering a subprocess, the discipline of its organization and maintenance was taken into account. In the article, for each of the reengineering options, the calculated quantitative estimates of the listed indicators are presented, obtained using the corresponding developed simulation models. The use of these assessments reduces the risks in the development and subsequent implementation of organizational and technical solutions associated with the modernization of the considered technological sub-process of repair of the bolster of a gondola car bogie.