A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading

The food industry has tried to enhance production processes in response to the increasing demand for safe, high-quality Home Meal Replacement (HMR) products. While robotic automation systems are recognized for their potential to improve efficiency, their high costs and risks make them less accessibl...

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Main Authors: Seunghoon Baek, Seung Eel Oh, Seung Hyun Lee, Ki Hyun Kwon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3121
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author Seunghoon Baek
Seung Eel Oh
Seung Hyun Lee
Ki Hyun Kwon
author_facet Seunghoon Baek
Seung Eel Oh
Seung Hyun Lee
Ki Hyun Kwon
author_sort Seunghoon Baek
collection DOAJ
description The food industry has tried to enhance production processes in response to the increasing demand for safe, high-quality Home Meal Replacement (HMR) products. While robotic automation systems are recognized for their potential to improve efficiency, their high costs and risks make them less accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study presents a simulation-based approach to evaluating the feasibility and impact of robotic automation on HMR production, focusing on two distinct production cases. By modeling large-scale and order-based production cases using simulation software, the study identified key bottlenecks, worker utilization, and throughput improvements. It demonstrated that robotic automation increased throughput by 31.2% in large-scale production (Case A) and 12.0% in order-based production (Case B). The actual implementation showed results that closely matched the simulation, validating the approach. Moreover, the study confirmed that a single worker could operate the robotic system effectively, highlighting the practicality of robotics for SMEs. This research provides critical insights into integrating robotics to enhance productivity, reduce labor dependency, and facilitate digital transformation in food manufacturing.
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spelling doaj-art-3733be2bebf94eeda7dab621fc6934ac2025-08-20T02:16:50ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-09-011319312110.3390/foods13193121A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product LoadingSeunghoon Baek0Seung Eel Oh1Seung Hyun Lee2Ki Hyun Kwon3Digital Factory Project Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Republic of KoreaFood Safety and Distribution Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of KoreaDigital Factory Project Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Republic of KoreaThe food industry has tried to enhance production processes in response to the increasing demand for safe, high-quality Home Meal Replacement (HMR) products. While robotic automation systems are recognized for their potential to improve efficiency, their high costs and risks make them less accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study presents a simulation-based approach to evaluating the feasibility and impact of robotic automation on HMR production, focusing on two distinct production cases. By modeling large-scale and order-based production cases using simulation software, the study identified key bottlenecks, worker utilization, and throughput improvements. It demonstrated that robotic automation increased throughput by 31.2% in large-scale production (Case A) and 12.0% in order-based production (Case B). The actual implementation showed results that closely matched the simulation, validating the approach. Moreover, the study confirmed that a single worker could operate the robotic system effectively, highlighting the practicality of robotics for SMEs. This research provides critical insights into integrating robotics to enhance productivity, reduce labor dependency, and facilitate digital transformation in food manufacturing.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3121food factoryrobot simulationplant simulationautomationKPIs
spellingShingle Seunghoon Baek
Seung Eel Oh
Seung Hyun Lee
Ki Hyun Kwon
A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
Foods
food factory
robot simulation
plant simulation
automation
KPIs
title A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
title_full A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
title_fullStr A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
title_full_unstemmed A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
title_short A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Robotic Automation Systems in HMR Product Loading
title_sort simulation based approach for evaluating the effectiveness of robotic automation systems in hmr product loading
topic food factory
robot simulation
plant simulation
automation
KPIs
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3121
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