An Object-Oriented Visual Model-Building and Simulation System for FMS Control

Abstract

This paper illustrates the design philosophy of a Visual Model-building and Simulation System (VMSS) focused on the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) operational control and symbolizes the complexity in Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) control. Building a high fidelity simulation model necessarily consumes a considerable amount of time and labor even though the program is written in a simulation language like GPSS, SLAM, and so on. This might limit its applicability to the various simulation models, and the execution of various model patterns. In this paper, we develop a VMSS to build a high fidelity simulation model in less time and with less labor. For the implementation of this VMSS, we integrate two main concepts: Visual Interactive Modelling (VIM) and Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS), and suggest the introduction of three additional concepts: Object-Oriented Data Structure, Visual Designing, and Intelligent Assistant.