Evaluation of the manufacturing of desk and stringer boards for wood pallets production by discrete event simulation

Deck and stringer boards’ manufacturing for wood pallet production requires complex management due to the variability of the logs used as raw material. An analysis was carried out on a representative sawmill in north-eastern Italy; the manufacturing line was composed of a band-saw, a cut-saw and a multi circular saw machine connected by rollers and belts conveyors provided with buffers. A discrete event simulation model was built in order to investigate the possible influence of the variability of log diameter and of the productive layout on the actual production level. The simulations showed that the major advantage could come from an improvement in the layout, identifying the cut-saw machine as the main bottleneck of the manufacturing line. By adopting a different cut-saw machine, the productivity of the manufacturing line could increase up to + 56% in the daily production of deck and stringer boards showing an increased daily productive time of  + 13%. The effects of this change are evident especially for log diameters lower than 65 cm.

► The production system of deck and stringer boards for wood pallets was investigated. ► Discrete event simulation identified the main bottlenecks. ► The current and an improved layout were studied by varying the mean log diameter. ► Some different solutions (a new machine, control of input material) were proposed. ► Possible improvements of56% in daily production and 13% in productive time were identified.