Integrating Manufacturing Simulation Tools Using Distributed Object Technology

Abstract

A modular approach for modeling, simulation and control of production systems, embracing multiple domains from the shop floor level to the single workstation is presented. Applications and knowledge are integrated over a computer network in a concurrent engineering environment involving both software and human interaction. Integration is achieved by using distributed object technology. To demonstrate the approach, a tool for shop floor simulation based on stochastic timed Petri nets, and a tool for simulation of machine tool motions during part program execution are integrated using a framework based on distributed object technology, to build a multiple domain model of a manufacturing cell. The implemented prototype can be used for process parameter configuration, system simulation, and eventually real time system supervision and control in a concurrent engineering environment