Frequently Asked Questions
The manufacturing environment poses many different problems, some of them more complicated than others. These complex problems arise at all levels of the organisation and stem from the difficulties in comprehending the many interactions that occur between a system's components and the environment. These can be characterised by the following features:
- Dynamic and transient effects occur
- Non-standard distributions & random events are involved
There is often a need to understand the consequences of such interactions because of the potentially large detrimental effects on cost, quality, and time. This often means forecasting the future of such scenarios under various circumstances.
There are many different tools that can be used to analyse these circumstances, ranging from real life experimentation and simple calculations to mathematical modelling and simulation. Simulation will often provide the most valuable solution because it is usually able to deliver several of the following benefits:
- quicker computations involving all relevant factors
- easier and repeatable experimentation
- improved communication of results
- legality and safety
- lower cost
- reduced risk
To conclude, simulation tools should be used to make sense of highly complex situations, as they are the most valuable method of experimentation.
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FAQ: Manufacturing - What do I need to facilitate a simulation project?
KS: Manufacturing - Scheduling and planning
KS: Manufacturing - Discrete event simulation
KS: Manufacturing - Dynamic simulation
KS: Manufacturing - Process simulation