Hearne Scientific Software are partnering with Austral Bricks to develop a plant simulation model to understand the current operations and model future improvements. This information will enable Austral Bricks to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs while maintaining safety and product quality.
Austral Bricks have been operating for over 100 years and have been part of Brickworks since 1945. Plants have to undergo continuous modernisation in order to enhance efficiency and produce products that meet market demand. Austral Bricks invest in high technology facilities, making it one of the large, efficient brick making industrial estate. Using simulation is a natural extension of using technology in their quest for continuous improvement.
Hearne Scientific Software provide software solutions for business improvement. Recently Hearne Scientific Software have formed a partnership with ProModel Corporation, developer of simulation technology, to distribute the ProModel simulation suite and render model development consultancy services in Australia and New Zealand.
The ProModel simulation suite is a flagship discrete event simulation software, used for evaluating, planning or designing manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and other operational and strategic situations. This technology fits nicely with Austral Bricks’ improvement initiatives and a partnership was formed with HearneScientific Software.
Initially, a production manager from Austral Bricks was trained at Hearne Scientific Software to gain familiarisation and competency in the art of simulation modelling. Then a consultant from Hearne paid a visit at an Austral Bricks facility to gain a common understanding of the process.
The model construction then began with a thorough discussion of the process flow at the plant. This was a crucial stage and saw many old assumptions being thrown away, leading to a renewed understanding of the operation. This stage also provided an opportunity to map out a strategy for model construction, refine the project objectives and identify critical processes that require special attention during model construction.
Both the Consultant and Production Manager then worked together to build an initial model. This provides a quick start to model building for unfamiliar ProModel software users, thereby reducing the time to completion. It provides feedback and confidence for Austral Bricks to build realistic and complex models.
It was then presented to Austral Bricks management and received encouraging feedback. Future plans include data collection, model refinement, validation and simulating process improvements. Hearne Scientific Software is the exclusive distributor and training provider for ProModel software across Australia and New Zealand.