Distributed Manufacturing Systems simulation platform

Abstract

This article describes the development of a Distributed Manufacturing Systems (DMS) simulation platform. Current technological environments leave no space to faulty and un-optimized manufacturing processes. Being able to prevent these processes is crucial to keep manufacturing systems up-to-date and running smoothly. To ensure it, one can use a variety of methods, such as simulation. The simulation of DMS can be used to foresee manufacturing behaviors, which can then be examined and improved before these systems are developed or modified. However, existing simulation packages cannot simultaneously simulate the several and relevant aspects of a DMS, due to its heterogeneity and constituents autonomy. The solution proposed in our research work relies in the combination of distinct simulation packages, already available for utilization, to form an aggregation simulation platform, each one able to simulate specific aspects of a DMS. An application example illustrates how, with this platform, we can perform the simulation of DMS with improved outcomes from simulations.