A modular hybrid simulation framework for complex manufacturing system design

Abstract

For complex manufacturing systems, the current hybrid Agent-Based Modelling and Discrete Event Simulation (ABM-DES) frameworks are limited to component and system levels of representation and present a degree of static complexity to study optimal resource planning.To address these limitations, a modular hybrid simulation framework for complex manufacturing system design is presented. A manufacturing system with highly regulated and manual handling processes, composed of multiple repeating modules, is considered. In this framework, the concept of modular hybrid ABM-DES technique is introduced to demonstrate a novel simulation method using a dynamic system of parallel multi-agent discrete events. In this context, to create a modular model, the stochastic finite dynamical system is extended to allow the description of discrete event states inside the agent for manufacturing repeating modules (meso level). Moreover, dynamic complexity regarding uncertain processing time and resources is considered. This framework guides the user step-by-step through the system design and modular hybrid model. A real case study in the cell and gene therapy industry is conducted to test the validity of the framework. The simulation results are compared against the data from the studied case; excellent agreement with 1.038% error margin is found in terms of the company performance. The optimal resource planning and the uncertainty of the processing time for manufacturing phases (exo level), in the presence of dynamic complexity is calculated.

RFID Application in a Multi-Agent Cyber Physical Manufacturing System

“…However, the existing literature has suggested that hybrid system design and engineering approaches are a suitable approach for the specification and analysis of CPS models due to the limitation of individual methods [45]. In the context of complex manufacturing and supply chain systems, mathematical modelling becomes complicated and computationally expensive due to the complexity and the high level of interactivity of sub-systems [11]. To tackle this challenge, the DES method provides a multi-agent simulation approach for CPS design and is a popular approach to simulate manufacturing processes.…”

“…Moreover, the concept of 'agent' has been only used to develop algorithms for individual products' functions with embedded RFID tags [26] and their control systems [5,33]. Complex manufacturing and supply chain systems, consist of several sub-systems (i.e., phases) and sub-sub-systems (i.e., components) that operate simultaneously and interact with each other over time [11]. This paper extends the application of agent-based approach and proposes a multi-agent CPS architecture for complex manufacturing and supply chain systems with embedded RFID technology.…”

“…• Part I-ABM-DES hybrid system architecture: A system of multi-agent discrete events, inspired by [11], is developed to model a complex manufacturing system. Three levels of agents, macro, meso and micro, are used to capture the dynamic behaviour of the manufacturing system.…”

“…For a system of systems, such as supply chains and complex manufacturing systems, the Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) technique is a promising approach for the system design and system simulation [11]. To explore and substantiate the RFID application in CPMS, this paper addresses the following research question: "How can the ABM technique be applied to develop an RFID-CPMS architecture?".…”

Personality Behavior In A Hierarchy Based On Mutual Perceptions

“…Group dynamics in teams of individuals united by strategic goals are explored in the work (Penagos-Londoño & Ruiz-Moreno, 2019). Farsi et al (2019) use the modular hybrid simulation method to build a model that describes the behavior of complex production systems.…”