Systems integration of an automated assembly

Abstract: Most research has focused on getting input from and simulating specific assembly processes. The most advanced simulation research is based on data-driven methods. The rest of the articles in my reference relating to simulation are based on case studies. Research in data-driven methods has consisted mainly in feeding data from the assembly into the simulation model. The data-driven simulation can, in some cases, make use of real-time assembly-plant data to input into the simulation model. Data-driven methods are meant to provide an integrated online data simulation technique that enables the modelling of system changes for the purposes of scenario studies and decision-making. Modern manufacturing systems mainly consist of processes and machines. Simulating an assembly process requires input from the production processes as well as a detailed study of the given manufacturing environment. This work is about creating a generic simulation program of an automated assembly which can be used to simulate a given family of assembly. This program is based on the generic algorithm/flow chart and generic assumptions to be used to simulate an automated assembly process. The generic program is based on Arena and Simio programs. In this generic program, the following parameters can be varied: number of workstations, number of components, and order of assembly, cycle time, time to assembly, component and workstation availability and buffer capacity. The Arena and Simio programs are based on six scenarios for Simio and ten scenarios for Arena (i.e. scenario 1 to Scenario 6 or 10, and scenarios 6 and 10 includes all workstations and components per program). The simulation program is to be applied to different scenarios. The differences between scenarios are reflected in the animation, and the output graphs, tables and diagrams. The program, the different scenarios, the input spreadsheet per scenario, the animation window, and the related table and output graphs are presented under Simio. The graphs are separated into components consumed and workstation utilisation. After each run, reports which include the utilisation of each workstation, the number of components used, and the number of products or assemblies are generated...D.Phil. (Mechanical Engineering