Modeling the Work of Multi-spindle Machining Centers with the Petri Nets

The article presents the results of the simulation studies concerning the impact of random production interruptions on the efficiency of multi-spindle machining centers. Four different machining center configuration models were developed using a dedicated class of stochastic Petri nets. In addition to the number of machine spindles, the number of simultaneously mounted parts, loading time of parts, their machining time, and reliability parameters regarding the frequency of machine interruptions caused by random factors were also taken into account as model parameters. A series of virtual tests was carried out for machining processes over a period of 1000 hours of operation. Analysis of the results confirmed the purpose of conducting simulation tests prior to making a decision regarding the purchase of a multispindle milling center. This work fills the existing research gap, as there are no examples in the technical literature of evaluating the effectiveness of multi-spindle machining centers.