Object oriented modelling and simulation of manufacturing systems
This thesis investigates the object oriented approach to modelling and simulation of manufacturing systems. In particular, it addresses the problem of making the modelling and simulation process easier in order to shorten model development times. The final aim of the research is to find how object oriented systems principles can help solve this problem and how they perform when applied in simulation modelling studies. A survey of literature on methods and tools for the purpose of discrete event modelling and simulation is presented. The investigation of object oriented systems principles in modelling and simu1ation was established as a major research objective. A graphical model-description formalism which was developed during the research is described. The formalism was developed for the purpose of building object oriented discrete event simulation models in a graphical environment. A prototype simulation tool was developed during the research in order to investigate the object oriented approach to modelling and simulation. The prototype was tested by using it to perform simulation studies. Two models based on real manufacturing operations are presented. The models serve to demonstrate the modelling approach taken and the simulation tool capabilities. The thesis also tackles the issues of data interfacing and describes the use of factory data sources to assist in the process of modelling and simulation. The prototype simulation tool integrates 3D modelling and design and real time visual programming, in a single visual environment. The research demonstrates the modelling capability, strengthens and weakness of the object oriented approach to modelling and simulation of manufacturing systems.
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