Combined Discrete/Continuous Simulation of Manufacturing
Process Plans
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Abstract
With the use of simulation, one can find and correct errors found in
manufacturing process plans. These corrections can reduce cost and
inefficiency. There exist two key problems in creating such a simulation
methodology capable of simulating maufacturing process plans effectively.
The first problem is the ability to create adequate simulation models that
represent both the geometric and dynamic properties of the processes
contained within the process plan. The second problem is to find what
errors can occur and how to resolve them within the process plan.
We have created a combined discrete/continuous simulation methodology that
uses both DEVS discrete event simulation models and DEVS & DESS combined
continuous/discrete event simulation models. The contributions of the
methodology we present are the creation of a transfer function which
automatically generates simulation models for the processes contained
within the process plan, and a methodology for finding and correcting
errors found during the simulation. Two types of error correction are
employed through the exploitation of partially/redundantly ordered plan
input and altering process parameters.