DISCRETE-EVENT SIMULATION-BASED DIGITAL TWIN: AN APPROACH FOCUSED ON STRATEGIC, TACTICAL, AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS

Computer simulation is widely used for analyzing manufacturing systems, offering flexibility to evaluate different configurations and strategies. With the emergence of Industry 4.0 technologies, simulation has evolved into the concept of the Digital Twin (DT), which integrates real-time data, graphical interfaces, and continuous decision support. This study proposes a simulation-based DT for both online and offline decision-making in an automotive parts factory. The model enables tactical, strategic, and operational decisions, especially in production planning. By modeling clutch component production cells, the study assessed decisions such as buffer implementation and a semi-automatic conveyor system. The DT also supports the definition of operational parameters. This approach stands out by integrating decision-making at different levels within a single model, contributing to greater efficiency in production systems in the Industry 4.0 era.