Activities of simulation

According to the VDI 3633 activities for simulation include [VDI-3633]:

1. Problem description,
2. Description of target systems,
3. Data structure, aggregation and analysis,
4. Modelling,
5. Simulation,
6. Validation, and
7. Documentation [VDI-3633].

This tutorial focus on the modelling of technical systems such as production systems and processes, material and information flow and logistics. For further information please consult for example [VDI-3633], [VDI-4499] or [Bangsow-2008].

The modelling phase covers the implementation and test of the simulation model. Modelling activities include:

1. Deriving a symbolic model from the mental or functional model, and
2. Implementation of this model within a software.

Tecnomatix Plant Simulation uses for the simulation model the object oriented approach. The mental or functional model is decomposed to a limited amount of objects. Each object consists of a pre-defined set of characteristics (attributes) and behaviour (methods). Classes describe the pre-definition of available attributes and methods. During the creation process of an object the class’ attributes are filled with concrete values (instance).

Models are classified and divided into hierarchical subgroups. For specialisation of attributes each model can be derived from one parent. As longs as they are not overwritten attributes then are inherited along the specialisation.

In the case of Tecnomatix we can manipulate the general classes for reuse as well as alter a concrete object for a single process. For further information about the object oriented approach, please consult for example [Oestereich-2013] or [Friedenthal-2011].