Enabling Industrial Scale Simulation / Emulation
Models
Michael Johnstone, Doug Creighton, and Saeid Nahavandi
(Deakin University)
Abstract:
OLE Process Control (OPC) is an industry standard that
facilitates the communication between PCs and Programmable Logic Controllers
(PLC). This communication allows for the testing of control systems with an
emulation model. When models require faster and higher volume communications,
limitations within OPC prevent this. In this paper an interface is developed
to allow high speed and high volume communications between a PC and PLC
enabling the emulation of larger and more complex control systems and their
models. By switching control of elements within the model between the model
engine and the control system it is possible to use the model to validate the
system design, test the real world control systems and visualise real world
operation.
Generic Simulation of Automotive Assembly for
Interoperability Testing
Deogratias Kibira and Charles R. McLean
(National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Abstract:
Computer simulation is effective in improving the
efficiency of manufacturing system design, operation, and maintenance. Most
simulation models are usually tailored to address a narrow set of industrial
issues, e.g., the introduction of a new product. If generic data-driven
simulations could be developed they would be reusable for wider application
including interoperability testing of standards for exchange of data across
the supply chain in manufacturing. To facilitate future interoperability
testing and training, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology are currently developing distributed, integrated manufacturing
simulations for automotive manufacturing. These simulations are being
developed at four different levels: the supply chain, the assembly plant, the
engineering systems, and the shop floor level. This pa-per describes the
development of a simulation model of the final assembly plant. Future efforts
will increase the versatility of the model, run it on neutral data and extend
integration with supply chain simulation
Distributed Simulation for Interoperability Testing
Along the Supply Chain
Sanjay Jain (The George Washington
University) and Frank Riddick, Andreas Craens, and Deogratias Kibira (National
Institute of Standards and Technology)
Abstract:
The need for interoperability of information systems
among supply chain partners has been recognized. A number of standards have
been or are being developed to ensure interoperability of applications used
along the supply chain. An associated need for interoperability testing has
emerged. There is a need to evaluate compliance of applications to standards
across specific platforms. The standards themselves need to be evaluated for a
comprehensive coverage of the application scope (validation testing). This
paper reports on a distributed simulation based approach for supply chain
interoperability testing. Simulations are used to represent real life
organizations to serve as sources and consumers of dynamic data. The data can
be encapsulated per the standard under consideration and exchanged with other
organizations directly or through selected applications for testing. Error
free performance of the simulated systems over time will provide confidence in
the interoperability of applications and in the standards themselves.
