Characteristics and the role of the place graphics system in simulation of a flexible manufacturing system

The purpose of this paper is to present the advantages of using computer simulation for designing an FMS workcell. Simulation of the FMS at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has demonstrated that it is easier to achieve effective coordination among the various components of the FMS by first simulating the FMS workcell. In addition, simulation of the FMS at NJIT has consistently increased the success of the design providing insights into the workcell at various stages of the process. McAuto’s PLACE software has been used to simulate the NJIT FMS. Simulation helps in the design of the FMS cell by leading the user to the most appropriate workable solution to various cell design problems such as collision, exceeding joint reach etc., by utilizing detailed and graphical workcell layouts and the cell performance data. In addition, design changes can be made using the simulation software while the production of parts is taking place on the FMS cell. Other commercial FMS and robot simulation tools are described in this paper while comparing and contrasting them with the PLACE system.