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A CAD-based visual simulator for designing flexible automated material handling and transportation systems

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Abstract

A software system is presented for simulating the behaviour of an automated material handling and transportation system typically used in flexible manufacturing. The program is written in the UPL language on top of a commercially available CAD system. It makes use of a discrete event simulation model written in ECSL to generate a schedule of events defining an animation scenario. The program relies on a graphical library of modular component elements that enable structured automated material handling and transportation system elements to be created. The motion patterns are generic and are implemented as procedures that can be associated with any entity as required. Motion employs the concept of entity associativity within the CAD environment in order to apply the same motion patterns to groups of entities. The latter retain, however, their individual motion specification. Advantages of the program include inherent integration with CAM, availability of a host of parent CAD facilities and thus ability to visualise facility performance and to appraise design in detail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Division, UMIST, Manchester, UK

    M. Ziaaie-Moayyed & B. J. Davies

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology Division, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    G. C. Vosniakos

Authors
  1. M. Ziaaie-Moayyed
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  2. G. C. Vosniakos
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  3. B. J. Davies
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. C. Vosniakos.

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Ziaaie-Moayyed, M., Vosniakos, G.C. & Davies, B.J. A CAD-based visual simulator for designing flexible automated material handling and transportation systems. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 14, 555–562 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01301699

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01301699

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