Object-oriented simulator design for an automated high-speed modular placement machine family

This paper introduces the computer model established for a new family of mo dular type, multi-station walking beam high-speed chip mounter (also called chip shooter;) machines, and the implemented high-accuracy simulation soft ware. The objective of the project ions the development of a comprehensive simulation tool that can replace the real machines in experiments regarding system analysis and setup, yet provide accurate cycle time estimation. The thorough analysis of the machines led to-the understanding of the characte ristics of each part of the system, as well as the hierarchy of the parts a nd the interaction between them. This well-defined hierarchy and separabili ty of different parts suggest the object-oriented paradigm for the implemen tation of the simulation software. This paper highlights the major goals su ccessfully addressed by the developed software: the identification of the s ystem hierarchy with its representation in a C++ class structure, the imple mentation providing code efficiency, and the design of I/O features that pr epare the simulator to be embedded in an optimization procedure.