205 17 th International Research/Expert Conference ”Trends in the Development of Machinery and Associated Technology” TMT 2013, Istanbul, Turkey, 10-11 September 2013 OPTIMIZING OF FLEXIBLE PALLETIZING LINES USING SIMULATION TOOLS Mirlind Bruqi Mechanical Engineering Faculty 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo Ramë Likaj Mechanical Engineering Faculty 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo Ahmet Shala Mechanical Engineering Faculty 10000, Prishtina, Kosova Nexhat Qehaja Mechanical Engineering Faculty 10000, Prishtina, Kosova ABSTRACT Nowadays simulation becomes a very powerful tool for design and optimization problems. These tools enable the study and analyzing of system without interrupting the flow of production. They can also be used on an operational basis to generate production schedules for the factory floor. This paper will focus on design and optimization of complex flexible Palletizing Lines, which consists of ABB industrial robots. In the first step, Robots will be simulated using 3D offline programming tool-RobotStudio. Using new robot virtual technology we can get the exact cycle time. The material flow will be simulated and optimized using the popular simulator –Arena. Keywords: modelling, simulation, optimization, design. 1. INTRODUCTION Simulation as a modern concept for system analysis, in particular for production systems are driven by rapid technological development of IT. Various experts have developed a numerous algorithms, archiving them in various programming languages. Nowadays engineer task is to teach the simulation philosophy in order to be released from very complex mathematical expressions, creating more space for individual creativity and engineering. But, of course for the simulation process other knowledge is needed depending on field or level of research. If is needed to be a Decision Maker, high level concerning manufacturing decisions etc., then individual must have knowledge on statistics, theory of probability, and a number of other theories linked to buffering and services. Fortunately, the modern simulation programs are very advanced, and integrated program packages for statistical preparation of production data and automatic optimization of entire process are included on them. In many cases such simulation process for production system allows very fast and efficient analysis of the stability for the selection of its parameters. A flexible palletizing system shown in this paper is a very sophisticated system. The core system consists of industrial ABB robots, palletizing stations, and transport system which connect this subsystem with another part of manufacturing system. There is one input conveyor for incoming of six different parts and one output conveyor for leaving pallets. The product Type I and II will be palletized from the Robot I. The product Type III and IV will be palletized from Robot II and finally the Product Type V and VI will be palletized from the Robot III. Pallets come to stations with AGV. They will be there an amount time. In this case each Robot has to take from incoming conveyor and to put at the pallet. After the predefined number of parts of the same Type was achieved the pallet will be released from system automatically. The Robot put them into outgoing conveyor. In order to minimize the entity flow time, the best input for each product must to be founded.