A distant 3D view of an underground mine showing the ground level and the decline.A close-up 3D view of the same mine at the same point in time, shows fully loaded trucks travelling up the decline and empty trucks returning to the loading point.An aerial 3D view of the same mine at the same point in time, showing the decline and the portal of the mine.

Techniques Used

To gain the best performance from your operating process, we employ one or a combination of the powerful operations research techniques listed below:

 

Simulation Modelling

Animation of an Automatic Guided Vehicle simulation modelModelling

We can design, build, animate and discrete-event simulation models of any process in any industry. Simulation modelling reduces or eliminates infrastructure costs and risk by:

  • quickly and economically testing alternative plant options without a shutdown
  • testing the effectiveness of all proposed enhancements before implementation
  • providing confidence in the effectiveness of the proposed design to achieve production
  • fine-tuning a complex system.

 

Our ARENA Simulation models can be developed with 2D or 3D animations as shown on this page.

 

 

 

 

 

An indicative Audit ChecklistModel Auditing

With many simulation models, there are times when senior management, board members or technical validation experts such as bankers, lawyers or actuaries need confidence that all due diligence has been undertaken. We can confirm, with an audit, that the right approach was taken when your simulation model was developed.

 

Optimisation

Optimisation-Based
An optimisation model within ExcelDecision-Support Applications

Optimisation involves narrowing your choices to the very best when there are virtually innumerable feasible options and comparing them.

 

Often day-to-day operations require the establishment of the best course of action, such as:

  • the combination of events that yield the maximum net present value, or
  • the sequence of processing that reduces the total elapsed time, or
  • how to best schedule maintenance crews to get all jobs done.

 

These decisions need to be made on a regular basis and updated when unforeseen events occur, such as breakdowns, no-shows, and late or early completions. We design optimisation applications that can be used time and time again using XPRESS (one of the most powerful Excel add-in integer programming solvers). Click here for more information on XPRESS.

 

Scheduling

A train timetable developed using PTG (Programming Timetable Generator)Automated Scheduling Programs

Scheduling is an art! Many schedulers spend a lifetime developing an understanding of their operation so they can create reliable schedules. However, sometimes when building a schedule there are too many constraints involved for the human mind to factor. We create programs based on optimisation techniques that enable you to quickly develop schedules incorporating all relevant constraints.