Model-Based Planning of Resource Efficient Process Chains Using System Entity Structures

Whereas in the past the sustainable use of resources and the reduction of waste have mainly been looked at from an ecological point of view, resource efficiency recently becomes more and more an issue of cost saving as well. Before resource consumption in manufacturing processes can be reduced systematically it is necessary to quantify the amount of resources needed, to identify major consumers and to determine the available degrees of freedom for a reduction. Simulation can be an adequate tool; however, most of the available simulation methods are not suitable for this task. Therefore in close cooperation of production engineering and computer science a new method is being developed to quantify and numerically optimize the resource consumption of manufacturing process chains. In particular, the resources electrical energy, raw material, cooling lubricants and tool wear are taken into consideration. The concept will be demonstrated exemplary in this paper for the consumption of electrical energy.