We got an interesting account – streamlining of the manufacturing process in the establishment of VZ Sochorová válcovna Kladno – Dříň Třineckých železáren, a. s. More specifically, we executed a study named “Verification and optimization of robotic deburring emplacement and logistic optimization of billet manufacturing treatment plant”. In the first stage, we verified the emplacement of the new part of robotic deburring and in the second one, we designed optimization of complex logistics on the billet manufacturing treatment plant.

Ing. Martin Čaniga operated as a representative of the enterprise and assessed the executed study in the interview. Read what we managed to accomplish with dynamic simulation in Sochorová válcovna.

Who is Ing. Martin Čaniga

Deputy Director of the manufacturing enterprise VZ  Sochorová válcovna Kladno – Dříň of Třinecké železárny a. s. He takes care of the whole manufacturing process, for which he is responsible.

  1. How would you asses the results of the performed simulation? What benefits has dynamic simulation brought?

Martin Čaniga: “Dynamic simulation displayed bottlenecks, so we could picture how busy our cranes are. We weren’t sure whether the distribution of our cranes was correct and how would their utilization transform, in case of changing positions. The study showed us the correct way to place new manufacturing facilities in order to achieve the greatest efficiency possible. Thanks to the study, I understood what dynamic simulation actually means and how it can really help us.”

  1. When it comes to investment opportunities and decision making, do you feel calmer now?

Martin Čaniga: “Yes. The study confirmed our vision, which was calming for us. It has helped us get rid of our fear of the unknown. It has also reduced the error rate of decision-making actions, thus we are not afraid of investing in new solutions anymore. Validation of the proposed solution is certainly a good way to avoid unnecessary shortcomings.”

  1. What exactly has been the benefit of dynamic simulation in your case?

Martin Čaniga: “Dynamic simulation helps us when validating and planning our daily production and it also simplifies operation. Furthermore, I see a great advantage in more accurate planning by taking more uniform utilization of capacities of all three lines into consideration. The information obtained about production batches and their distribution is having a major influence on the performance of particular lines.”

  1. Are you planning to use dynamic simulation again in the future?

Martin Čaniga: “We definitely are. We can’t imagine operating without dynamic simulation now. With simulation, we will continue verifying our further reconstructions in order to ascertain the continuity of particular parameters – when considering an investment opportunity, we always use simulation now.”

  1. Is there something that surprised you within the performed study using dynamic simulation?

Martin Čaniga: “In the first place, the huge amount of data surprised us – outcomes of workload / underload of machinery, bottlenecks and reserves in some parts of the processes. Even the fact that it’s possible to increase performance with a relatively simple change. Furthermore, warehousing premises determination – buffers where materials should be put, in order to avoid unnecessary manipulations, and the means of effective adjustment utilization. I had never had any experience with simulation and I was surprised with the speed with which you managed to process the required outcomes.”