MANUFACTURING SIMULATORS

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Simulation modelling has been identified as one of the most powerful techniques available for the analysis and design of complex manufacturing systems. A number of manufacturing simulators have been designed in an effort to make it easier to use the simulation approach in the manufacturing environment. This paper will attempt to describe and ~valuate the characteristics of some of the available manufacturing simulators as well as possible ways to alleviate some of the inherent disadvantages. This paper will also report on the preliminary design philosophy and specifications of a manufacturing simulation program generator (FACSIM) presently under development. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Simulasiemodellering is een van die mees kragtige tegnieke beskikbaar vir die analise en ontwerp van komplekse vervaardigingstelsels. In 'n poging om die gebruik van simulasiemodellering in die vervaardigingsomgewing te vergemaklik is 'n aantal vervaardigingsimulators ontwikkel. Hierdie artjkel sal poog om die eienskappe van sommige van die beskikbare vervaard~gingsimulators te bespreek en te evalueer. Tegnieke wat moontlik gebruik kan word om die effekte van die inherente nadele van simulators te verminder sal bespreek J?, word. Die voorlopige ontwerpfilosofie en -spesifikasie van 'n vervaardigingsimulasie programgenerator (FACSIM), wat tans ontwikkel word, sal ook beskryf word.