Simfactory – A Computerised Coaching System for Sewing Line Management II

Simfactory Sewing Factory Production Line Management System

This original Simfactory project aims to develop a computerized system for the frontline supervisors and managers to apply industrial engineering techniques in making their resource allocation decision. After interacting with the system, they can acquire the knowledge of correct steps in arranging manpower, machine and production process based on scientific manipulations.

Further to the successful development and commercialization of SimFactory project, we delivered the system to various clothing manufacturing companies for demonstration / implementation. Positive feedbacks have been solicited. Users request for additional features that could further enhance the usefulness of the simulation software; these include: 1. One-piece flow production 2. Style changeover 3. Consecutive manpower re-allocation To adopt those functions and make it closer to real operation, we target to work with group of leading garment factories. Based on their benchmarking in garment production, we will use process mapping techniques to define details of each function and formulate the interaction of parameters by the regression technique. After the enhancement of original Simfactory, more in depth knowledge of industrial engineering could be learnt by the user and lead them to apply those knowledge in real production environment.

Application

Following the logical flow of the most common progressive bundle system, frontline personnel will learn how to apply “industrial engineering” techniques and make use of the “what-if” analysis to forecast decisions by means of key performance indicators (KPIs). It helps them to build up sewing line management capability by maximising the production efficiency and optimising the utilisation of manpower and machinery resources.

Besides, this software is not a stand-alone product. A 2-day coaching programme is designed for the frontline management personnel to acquire industrial engineering techniques quickly and build up a professional decision-making capability in a safe and interactive virtual sewing line environment. The programme includes: Basic Knowledge for Running the SimFactory; Process Streamlining Techniques; as well as Performance Analysis and Action
Industry Benefit

Target users of the industry can enjoy the following benefits by using this system:
• Improving their understanding of sewing line dynamics for better production planning and control.
• Mastering the sewing line information flow for optimisation of manpower and machine resources.
• Enriching their sewing line management knowledge for shortening the learning cycle and reducing associated costs.
Project Name (ITF)
SimFactory - A Computerized Coaching System for Sewing Line Management (Phase II)
Project Number (ITF)
ITP/047/14TP