Introduction to factor/aim

FACTOR/AIM (AIM) is a simulation system designed specifically for use in manufacturing decision support. AIM has been successfully applied to engineering design, scheduling, and planning problems within numerous manufacturing organizations. AIM operates on the Windows platform and all model data is stored in a Microsoft Access(R) database. This open database structure provides many opportunities. Models can be built faster by importing data from existing sources into AIM. Custom reports are easily created with Access(R) report wizards. In addition, simulation based decision support applications complete with menus and dialog boxes can be developed with Access(R) application wizards. Unlike language-based simulation products which require modelers to learn specific syntax and then abstract your system to fit this syntax, AIM uses the language of manufacturing. Example AIM components include machines, operators, materials, parts, job-steps, process plans (routings), and conveyors. In addition, a comprehensive set of pre-defined manufacturing rules is available to you. Using AIM you can quickly and accurately build a model of any manufacturing process on your PC. Spending less time on modeling means more time to use the model to help you make decisions to improve your manufacturing operations. This paper provides an introduction to AIM including AIM modeling constructs, the use of AIM for capacity engineering, planning and scheduling, and costing with AIM