Production Modeling and Simulation Features and Functions
Production modeling and simulation takes the conceptual design of the production processes and provides the required level of detail to plan the production facility, the flow of the material through the facility, and the actions of the plant equipment. Simulation capabilities are employed to visually test the production processes with the materials and the equipment to ensure that optimal processes are being developed. Further, production modeling and simulation covers the development of detailed programming for process equipment such as robots, inspection machines, material handling equipment, and others.
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Robotic Simulation
Robotic simulation provides the ability to simulate the location and function of robots as they will be used to produce products. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the flow of material and the travel of the robots to ensure that no problems will be encountered when the robots are commissioned to produce the product. By allowing generation of the robotic programming off-line, robotic simulation allows the production equipment to remain on-line and generate value while the programming is developed in a virtual environment.
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PLC Programming
PLC programming provides the ability to simulate the functions of production equipment as they will be used in production, including the development of the control logic. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the flow of production based on certain conditions. By allowing generation of the programming off-line, PLC programming allows the production equipment to remain on-line and generating value while the programming is developed in a virtual environment. PLC is a programmable logic controller, though the meaning has given way to usage of the acronym.
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Machining/NC
Machining/NC simulation provides the ability to simulate the production of machined parts. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the tool paths and the removal of material from around the desired part to be machined. Simulation helps to identify problems that will be encountered when the process is released to produce the product. By allowing generation of the CNC code offline, simulation allows the machining equipment to remain on-line and generating value while the programming is developed in a virtual environment. NC machines are programmable machines. NC stood for "numerically controlled," but now "NC machine" is a general category and not all are numerically controlled, hence the term has lost meaning to the acronym.
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Welding
Welding simulation provides the ability to simulate the location and function of robots as they will be used to weld parts together. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the flow of material and the travel of the weld robots to ensure that no problems will be encountered when the robots are commissioned to produce the product, and helps with weld gun selection and optimizing the weld path. By allowing generation of the programming off-line, welding simulation allows the production equipment to remain on-line and generating value while the programming is developed in a virtual environment.
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Assembly
Automated assembly provides the ability to visualize how parts will adjoin and simulate the assembly process. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the flow of material and the travel of the robots or workers to ensure that no problems will be encountered when the part is produced. By visualizing the process in advance, the production process can be optimally designed. In addition, potential assembly issues may be identified before production begins, which could lead to product design changes to help improve the way the product is assembled.
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Factory Layout Design
Factory layout design provides tools to help support the optimal physical structure of the material handling, line flow, and work cells.
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Inspection/CMM
Inspection and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) simulation provides the ability to simulate the location and function of inspection and CMM equipment as the equipment will be used to inspect products. Simulation capabilities are used to visualize the flow of material and the travel of the inspection equipment to ensure that no problems will be encountered when the equipment is commissioned to inspect the product. By allowing generation of the programming off-line, inspection and CMM simulation allows the equipment to remain on-line and generating value while the programming is developed in a virtual environment.
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Line Balancing
Line balancing provides the ability to review and optimize the flow of production on a production line. By reviewing the detailed operations by work station and operator, the entire line can be optimized to use resources efficiently and deliver optimal throughput.
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Manufacturing Process Management (MPM) Features and Functions
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