| Article ID: | iaor20162189 |
| Volume: | 10 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Start Page Number: | 89 |
| End Page Number: | 94 |
| Publication Date: | May 2016 |
| Journal: | Journal of Simulation |
| Authors: | Spieckermann S, Seeanner F, Hppe N |
| Keywords: | manufacturing industries, simulation, vehicle routing & scheduling, decision |
This paper describes the continuous application of simulation from system design to system operation including the integration of the simulation in a manufacturing execution system (MES). This is done using the example of a real‐world manufacturing system, a complex flexible laser welding facility. The results of a simulation study during system design are presented and it is derived how these results strengthened the decision to implement a simulation‐based MES. Some technical details of the connection between the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the MES, and the Programmable Logic Control (PLC) are explained, as well as the usage of the MES and the simulation by the operations planners (dispatchers).