Evolutionary Simulation-Based-Design (ESBD) methodology for large computerintegrated manufacturing systems

Large CIMSs consist of numerous physical facilities and control systems req uiring more elaborate design procedures. For the construction of a large CI MS, without any existing base-model or parent-model, as identified in the s hipbuilding processes, Evolutionary Simulation-Based-Design (ESBD) methodol ogy is suggested and detailed in this paper. The object-oriented system dev elopment and the simulation-based-design (SBD) process are discussed and mo dified to include the characteristics of physical and control components in large CIMSs. ESBD defines the simulation phase, in which the simulation le vels allow the prototype systems to evolve to the completed systems. In tha t phase, virtualized factory facilities simulate the physical system to pro vide substantial information for system configuration and consistency. Subs tituted for actual physical device controllers, the virtual elements establ ish a reliable bridge to effective design of large CIMSs.