Effective application of simulation in the life cycle of a manufacturing cell project

In a simulation of an automated floor panel fabrication cell (Boeing´s Automated Floor Panel Workcell), it was shown how simulation can be used successfully throughout the system development life cycle. The authors present the role simulation played throughout the system life cycle, with special emphasis on fine-tuning cell operations and cell controller scheduling algorithms. With simulation, numerous options were tested without incurring large capital costs or disrupting operations. Simulation provided an excellent vehicle for reducing risks associated with implementation of a very complex costly system because it provided excellent overall system visibility, was effective in communicating concepts and designs, reduced design and development time, and significantly improved the quality of designs