Development of a Simulator for Automated Manufacturing Systems

객체지향방식에 의한 자동화제조시스템 시뮬레이터의 설계 및 구현

We discuss development of a simulator for automated manufacturing systems (AMSs) which have sophisticated automated material handling equipments and complicated work flows. The simulator is designed to satisfy the following requirements. A user should be able to easily configure or specify an AMS through a graphical user interface (GUI) and minimal data input. The user should be able to model diverse and complied control logic for automated material handling systems like automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, robot workcell systems and conveyor systems as well as complicated job flow program. Real time animation is desired. Finally, the simulator should be easily maintained and extended. To satisfy the requirements, we use an object-oriented paradigm for modeling, designing, and programming of the simulator. We use an object-oriented modeling framework to design the modeling elements library, and take the process interaction approach for scheduling processes and events. To model a user-defined diverse control logic, we also develop a script language and its interpreter. We explain design and implementation strategies. We implement the simulator using Visual C++ 4.2 and Open GL on Windows NT and the Windows95. Some modeling examples will be demonstrated.