Increasing the usability of material flow simulation models through model data exchange

This paper presents a computer supported concept for the exchange of model data among building block oriented material flow simulators. This approach can increase the chance that the effort already invested in building a simulation model and in collecting data for it can be re-used in further simulations. The core of the model data exchange is a product independent interface based upon the international standard STEP (standard for the exchange of product model data). Such a neutral description, in this case the description of production has the goal of enabling the extraction of data among different material flow simulators. The availability of a neutral interface makes the linkage of unlike simulators possible