Development of a Control Theoretic Based Simulation Model of a Supply and Distribution System with Reusable Items

摘要

Control theoretic modelling and control approaches provide a systematic way to address the problem associated with inventory control of supply and distribution systems. Supply chain systems usually contain a number of lead times among supply nodes and are susceptible to demand variation. In this work, we developed a linear uncertain discrete time model of a distribution system with multiple supply nodes and pure delays by considering reusable supply items and multiple supply chains. The model allows for a three-level distribution system which include customer, distributor and plant, where customers can also supply items to other requesting customers. The model presented here paves the way towards developing robust control policies for distribution of items under state and input constraints. In order to determine robust resources a discrete event simulation model is developed based on the proposed discrete model using Simulink toolbox SimEvents. Finally a robust distribution policy and item return policy is obtained considering operational cost and customer satisfaction.