Plant Simulation as an Instrument of Logistics and Transport of Materials in a Digital Factory

The competition of international manufacturing networks creates pressure to increase the efficiency of manufacturing systems. In addition to this, indicative for the present period is the fact that the number of technical components in many products is increasing, and at the same time the requirements are growing for corresponding assembly, transport and logistical processes. These requirements can be administered and recognized in the scope of their complexity only through the use of an array of rapid and efficient methods in the form of a digital factory. This contribution points to the practical application of the Plant Simulation software module from the portfolio of the digital factory of Siemens PLM. This complex instrument with an environment for controlling the life cycle of a product enables repeated utilization of data, supports effective cooperation between individual units, and provides relevant data for each user who needs it, mainly from the viewpoint of strategic decision-making. The simulation of the entire flow of material, including all relevant divisions of manufacturing, storing and transport activities, is considered as the key component of the digital factory in industry and from this day forward is the most often used