Object oriented simulation in a CIM environment

For several years, graduate students and faculty of the Engineering Systems Research Center at U.C., Berkeley have been studying new methods of planning and scheduling in a computer integrated manufacturing environment, with particular emphasis on large scale integrated circuit fabrication. One part of this work, focusing on short interval scheduling, uses simulation models as a primary research tool. We have built two versions of the same basic model (programmed in C) to study two different problems (one deals with machine down time and the other with setup times). These have proven to be efficient for studying particular problems, but are difficult and time consuming to modify. We are convinced that our research will be more effective: (1) if it were easier to build special purpose models tailored to the research question at hand; and (2) if we had better interfaces to graphics output. Commercially available factory simulators are inadequate for this research for a variety of reasons. Existing packages such as SIMKIT, SLAM, SIMAN and EXCELL have their own weaknesses. Typically, they are hard to develop and to modify. They do not allow for adding new dispatching decisions or release decision. Also, it is hard to add more machines to existing environment or change the route the product flows. For these various reasons, we had developed a new simulation package having flexibility and modularity. In this paper, based on experiences gained in the application of object oriented programming, we discuss unique features of the simulator developed in OOPS and ways to take advantage of features in developing and using manufacturing simulation software written in the OOPS