A good capacity model is a driver for asset management processes and sets the performance standards needed to achieve an organisation’s goals.
Key features of a good capacity model include:
The era of the traditional reliability block diagram has passed. In its place is dynamic simulation – a method with the ability to pay significant bottom line dividends and create competitive advantage through the use of the latest, most effective computer based simulation tools. This highly realistic modelling has the ability to apply the most appropriate distribution to failure modes and offers a strong representation of failure distribution, which is as important as good failure data. Ram Systems uses this next generation in RAM (reliability, availability, maintainability) modelling software, which is able to report and analyse traditional RAM performance indicators as well. We do understand, however, that assurance or uncertainty needs to be quantified since a capacity model will always have uncertainty in some (if nor all) of it's inputs. Informed by this context, Ram Systems simulations always state the confidence/ uncertainty inherent in any capacity model result.
Capacity and availability modelling with an output or production throughput focus involves modelling a plant systems’ response to planned and unplanned production stoppages of individual items. Such modelling can provide enormous opportunities for improvement and optimisation of design and asset management processes. Through such modelling capacity bottlenecks - occurring due to constraining system configuration and equipment reliability issues - can be removed, leading to large production gains. Effective capacity modelling requires a method capable of simulating the complex interactions and logic involved in production processes, as well as the simulation of reliability engineering inputs (such as equipment failure modes and planned maintenance strategies) that will mitigate these failure modes. Ram Systems uses the what it believes to be "best of breed" software for this. The opportunity to influence total cost of ownership of a system or asset is most significant at the beginning of its life cycle. At this stage, valuable opportunities to perform capacity modelling exists, and should ideally be an integral part of front-end engineering design projects. Capacity and availability modelling can however, be used for optimisation work throughout a system's life cycle. Ram Systems utilises Goldsim simulation software for capacity and availability modelling.
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Goldsim is the premier Monte Carlo simulation software for dynamically modelling complex systems in business, engineering and science.
Ram Systems Consulting has over 7 years experience applying Goldsim to many industries in Australia and abroad.
| Capacity and availability modelling |
