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

Large CIMSs consist of numerous physical facilities and control systems requiring more elaborate design procedures. For the construction of a large CIMS, without any existing base-model or parent-model, as identified in the shipbuilding processes, Evolutionary Simulation-Based-Design (ESBD) methodology is suggested and detailed in this paper. The object-oriented system development and the simulationbased-design (SBD) process are discussed and modified to include the characteristics of physical and control components in large CIMSs. ESBD defines the simulation phase, in which the simulation levels allow the prototype systems to evolve to the completed systems. In that phase, virtualized factory facilities simulate the physical system to provide substantial information for system configuration and consistency. Substituted for actual physical device controllers, the virtual elements establish a reliable bridge to effective design of large CIMSs.