Nissan shifts Qashqai to top gear with simulation and scheduling software

The company says its Lanner Witness simulation-based advanced planning and scheduling software enabled the Sunderland plant to imkprove production of new automotive models by a full 20%. It says that traditional methods of production analysis simply could not compete with the depth of analysis that simulation technology was able to provide. Nissan has now developed its own methodology for modelling large scale production lines – involving small models to look at individual cells and improve cycle times, then large scale models where the improved processes are put together. Says Nissan: “The launch of the Qashqai vehicle has been extremely successful and has exceeded all sales expectations. This has resulted in the suspension plant moving on to a four shift pattern – running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Nissan develops models that are user-friendly as well as mathematically accurate. “It is vitally important that the model looks like the area or system that is being simulated in order for the user to fully buy-in to the simulation,” says the company. But that was further enhanced on this project by the animation of turn-tables and seven axis robots. Also, Nissan has adapted the model to be used in conjunction with Witness Optimiser. Part of the suspension plant has the capacity to be set up with a billion potential scenarios to maximise efficiency at varying degrees. To solve that, Witness Optimiser performs an intelligent search through the options for the best solution within one hour.