Article ID: | iaor1992374 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 29 |
Issue: | 9 |
Start Page Number: | 1795 |
End Page Number: | 1810 |
Publication Date: | Sep 1991 |
Journal: | International Journal of Production Research |
Authors: | Haddock Jorge, OKeefe Robert |
Despite the apparent move toward using data-driven simulators in manufacturing modelling, as opposed to simulation languages and packages that require programming, there have been few rational efforts to evaluate the development and use of these tools. As the number of tools continues to grow, such evaluation is necessary if simulation users are going to make sensible informed choices. This paper presents two specialized data-driven simulators developed to model Flexible Manufacturing Systems called RENSAM (Rensselaer Simulator for Automated Manufacturing) and RENVIS (Rensselaer Visual Interactive Simulator). Experience with these packages leads to consideration of the benefits of using such tools. Advantages include the ease with which models can be developed and the rapid pace of that development, and the enforcement of proper statistics collection; disadvantages include misplaced perception of how easy the tool is to use, weaknesses in implementation and the limitations of the simulator. It is shown that