Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A visual programming system for defining behavior in simulation models of manufacturing systems

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A visual programming system is described that allows the modeler full flexibility in defining the behavior of a manufacturing system simulation model. Decision-making behavior of objects in the simulation can be viewed by watching an animation of the system layout, viewing function block diagrams of rules that govern behavior, or noting the progress of an object in carrying out sequences of activities that are pictured as operation networks. Rules, elemental operations and operation networks are structured and associated with particular objects, groups of objects, and locations on the manufacturing system layout. The objective of this system is to reduce the time and expense required to construct and modify models, given that manufacturing system data have been collected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. CACI,SIMFACTORY 115 User's Manual, (CACI Products Company, La Jolla, CA, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  2. C.K. Chang, Y.F. Chang and C.C. Song, Petri-net approach to distributed software development, Inf. Software Technol. 31(1989)535–545.

    Google Scholar 

  3. B.J. Cox,Object-Oriented Programming: An Evolutionary Approach (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  4. A.R. Gilman and C. Billingham, A tutorial on SEE WHY and WITNESS,Proc. 1989 Winter Simulation Conf. (1989) pp. 192–200.

  5. C.R. Glassey and S. Adiga, Berkeley Library of objects for control and simulation of manufacturing systems (BLOCS/M), in:Applications of Object-Oriented Programming, ed. L.J. Pinson and R.S. Wiener (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Goldberg and D. Robson,Smalltalk-80: The Language (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  7. P.D. Gray,Smalltalk-80: A Practical Introduction (Pitman, London, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  8. C.J. Kasales and D.T. Sturrock, Introduction to SIMAN IV,Proc. 1991 Winter Simulation Conf. (1991) pp. 106–111.

  9. A.M. Law and W.S. Haider, Selecting simulation software for manufacturing applications,Proc. 1989 Winter Simulation Conf. (1989).

  10. B. Meyer,Object-Oriented Software Construction (Prentice-Hall, New York, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  11. J.H. Mize, H.C. Bhuskute, D.B. Pratt and M. Kamath, Modeling of integrated manufacturing systems using an object oriented approach, IIE Trans. 24(1991)14–26.

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. Mullin,Object Oriented Program Design with Examples in C++ (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  13. T. Murata, Petri nets: Properties, analysis and applications, Proc. IEEE 77(1989)541–580.

    Google Scholar 

  14. D.H. Norrie, O.R. Fuavel, B.R. Gaines and M. Mowchenko, A knowledge-based decision support system for flexible manufacturing,Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. on Industrial Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems, IEA/AIE 89 (1989) pp. 393–400.

    Google Scholar 

  15. D.H. Norrie and A.D. Kwok, Object-oriented distributed artificial intelligence,Int. Symp. on New Results and New Trends in Computer Science (1991) pp. 225–242.

  16. J.L. Peterson,Petri Net Theory and the Modeling of Systems (Prentice-Hall, New York, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  17. A.A.B. Pritsker,Introduction to Simulation and SLAM II (Halstead Press, New York, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Pritsker Corporation,AIM User's Manual (Pritsker Corp., Indianapolis, IN, 1992).

    Google Scholar 

  19. ProModel Corporation,ProModelPC User's Manual (ProModel Corp., Orem, UT, 1992).

    Google Scholar 

  20. M. Rohrbough, Introduction to SIMFACTORY II.5,Proc. 1989 Winter Simulation Conf. (1989) pp. 201–204.

  21. E.C. Russell, Introduction to SIMSCRIPT II.5,Proc. 1991 Winter Simulation Conf. (1991) pp. 62–66.

  22. D. Savic,Object Oriented Programming with Smalltalk/V (Ellis Horwood, New York, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  23. T.J. Schriber,An Introduction to Simulation Using GPSS/H (Wiley, New York, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  24. B. Shneidermann,Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1987).

    Google Scholar 

  25. T. Thomasma and K. Hilbrecht, Specification methods for material-handling control algorithms in flexible manufacturing systems, Int. J. Flexible Manufac. Syst. 3(1991)231–250.

    Google Scholar 

  26. T. Thomasma and O.M. Ülgen, Modeling of a manufacturing cell using a graphical simulation system based on Smalltalk-80,Proc. 1987 Winter Simulation Conf. (1987) pp. 683–691.

  27. T. Thomasma and O.M. Ülgen, Hierarchical, modular simulation modeling in icon-based simulation program generators for manufacturing,Proc. 1988 Winter Simulation Conf. (1988) pp. 254–262.

  28. T. Thomasma, O.M. Ülgen and Y. Mao, Manufacturing simulation in Smalltalk,Proc. 1990 Western Simulation Multiconf. (1990) pp. 93–96.

  29. O.M. Ülgen and T. Thomasma, SmartSim: An object-oriented simulation program generator for manufacturing systems, Int. J. Prod. Res. 28(1990)1713–1730.

    Google Scholar 

  30. A.L. Winblad,Object-Oriented Software (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  31. B.P. Zeigler,Multifaceted Modelling and Discrete Event Simulation (Academic Press, Boston, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  32. B.P. Zeigler,Object-Oriented Simulation with Hierarchical, Modular Models: Intelligent Agents And Endomorphic Systems (Academic Press, Boston, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Michigan — Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, 48128, Dearborn, MI, USA

    Timothy Thomasma, Youyi Mao & Onur M. Ülgen

Authors
  1. Timothy Thomasma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Youyi Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Onur M. Ülgen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thomasma, T., Mao, Y. & Ülgen, O.M. A visual programming system for defining behavior in simulation models of manufacturing systems. Ann Oper Res 53, 357–389 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02136835

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02136835

Keywords

Search

Navigation