Modeling customized product configuration in large assembly manufacturing with supply-chain considerations

Dynamic variability in low-volume and highly customized products of a large assembly manufacturing system with an integrated supply chain has been very challenging to capture. Design and product configurations most likely impact outcomes of such broad variability. This article presents a framework to encompass this completely integrated system for using discrete event simulation as a modeling method. The system modeling framework addresses factors including customized configuration attributes and individual customer-preferred considerations for customized configurations. The framework is intended to aid decision-making concerning cost and schedule impacts associated with customization options chosen throughout the supply chain. A real-world example drawn from aerospace is included to demonstrate and validate the operational capability of the proposed framework.