Metamodels in manufacturing: A review

Simulation is frequently used in design of manufacturing systems. Traditionally it is used to design individual production shops or cells, but manufacturers are becoming aware that the major gains in competitiveness made necessary by the growing challenge of global markets, are available only from integrated design of entire factories. In this context simulation models become unwieldy. Meanwhile metamodelling techniques have been maturing, and may provide a more versatile extension to simulation, and deeper insight into modelled systems. Further, the relative computational simplicity of metamodels offers the prospect of practically modelling more extensive systems. This paper reviews the published development of metamodelling techniques, with particular emphasis on their relevance to manufacturing.