Automatic simulation model generation for simulation-based, real-time shop floor control

This paper presents a structure and architecture for automatic simulation model generation (for very detailed simulation models intended to be used for real-time simulation-based shop floor control). The simulation model code is generated from a shop floor resource model and a shop floor control model. The shop floor resource model provides much of the static information for the simulation model; while a shop level control model provides much of the dynamic information required by the simulation model. The simulation code generated can be used for traditional system analysis, but more importantly, it can also be used to control the manufacturing system by sending and receiving messages using an Ethernet communication link to a high-level task executing system. Six manufacturing systems are used to illustrate and test the validity of the simulation model generation methodology. Finally, factory level planning and scheduling activities using the generated simulation model are described.