A review of assembly optimisation applications using discrete event simulation

This article reviews literature on the application of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and optimisation methods for assembly systems. Data from papers is collated and classified based on application domain, optimisation objective functions, model formulations and optimisation methods. This classification enables the identification of key trends within the research. The most common objective functions applied within studies are time and throughput. In addition, what–if scenario analysis is identified as the most common optimisation method. An increase in the use of hybrid methods for simulation modelling and growing application of Artificial Intelligence methods for multi-objective optimisation of DES models has been noted. These growing trends provide a variety of interesting areas for progress in future research.