Enhancing Safety Fuse Manufacturing Productivity: An Analytical Approach Using Factory Physics and Simulation Techniques in Bolivia

Abstract

Due to limited resources and economic challenges in the Bolivian manufacturing sector, increasing productivity without extra investments has become a strategic priority. This study explores the use of tools like the Factory Physics methodology and computer simulations in the production system of a Bolivian explosives company's safety fuse manufacturing process. The main goal is to improve productivity by using the resources available. A time and motion study, value-added activity analysis, internal benchmarking, line balancing, and simulations were conducted. The results showed that productivity could be significantly increased by better managing production time and resources. These improvements included a 0.7% reduction in cycle time, a 2.4% increase in production rate, and a 13% reduction in work in progress. Consequently, these changes boosted the system productivity by 25%, thanks to a more effective use of the company's resources (i.e., time, personnel, and machinery). These findings suggest that applying the Factory Physics methodology and simulation allows for improving production system performance without additional investments by optimizing existing resources. This strategy represents a viable alternative to improving operational efficiency in the Bolivian manufacturing sector.