Reusable models: Making your models more user-friendly

Abstract

In this tutorial we identify four different types of Reusable Simulation Models (RSMs), namely, (1) fully documented simulation models, (2) parameterized simulation models, (3) special purpose simulation program generators, and (4) general purpose simulation program generators. Each type of RSM may be accessible through a different kind of Simulation Support Environment (SSE). We identify three major classes of SSEs, namely, (a) procedure oriented programming language based SSEs, (b) spreadsheet program based SSEs, and (c) object-oriented, visual interactive SSEs. Out of the possible twelve combinations of RSMs and SSEs, we discuss eight examples (case studies) of the six most popular combinations. THE IMPORTANCE OF REUSABILITYSimulation is a useful tool in analysis and design of complex manufacturing systems because it can give insight into manpower and equipment requirements, cycle time, inventory, and throughput for alternative designs before any physical changes are made in an existing system or any commitment is made in hardware or facilities for a new system. A large part of the work in a simulation study consists of writing, testing, and debugging the simulation program. Even though simulations are written in languages that are designed for simulation programming, they are like programs written in any language in that they are time consuming and labor intensive to write, test, and debug. This limits the applicability of Norm Otto Ford Motor CompanyResearch Staff D e a d " , M I 48124 computer simulation as a modeling and analysis tool. Complex simulation models must be built by simulation experts that are expensive to hire and hard to find. Currently, it is not easy for the average plant engineer to build a simulation model of a complex system.We think that simulation should be employed as much as possible by the plant engineers who have the most intimate knowledge of the systems they want to simulate. Plant engineers who can conduct their own simulation studies are able to obtain reliable data inexpensively. Their day-to-day experience in their plant allows them to validate models as they build them. The study can incorporate input from people in the plant at all stages while the model is built, validated, and exercised. Therefore, support for implementing the solution developed in the study is high.Complex simulation models are often written by outside simulation experts who may not be available to help the plant engineers after the simulation study has been completed. The full potential of the simulation models may not be realized if the models can't be reused by the plant people for follow-up analyses of the system. Figure 1 depicts the relationship between the ultimate model user (the plant engineer) and the simulation model. If the simulation model is not designed to be user-friendly from the beginning of the project, the user may never be able to exercise the model directly. The need for a model developer in order to use the model may hinder the extensive use of the model for system analysis. The pr...

Reusable Component Model Development Approach for Parallel and Distributed Simulation

“…The term reusable component model refers to an independent replaceable part of a simulation application that can be independently developed and delivered as a unit and reused in different platforms [ 22 ]. Such component models can be selected from a model resource library, thus reducing both model developing time and costs when compared with a new development [ 23 ].…”

Employing Databases for Large Scale Reuse of Simulation Models

“…Reusability of software artifacts has become a well established requirement in the software engineering community during the last decade, and its importance in the field of simulation has also been pointed out by many authors already (e.g., Reese andWyatt 1987, Ulgen, Thomasma, andOtto 1991). However, simulation models still seem to be lackmg reusability (Lung et al 1992): Many modelers still view each simulation project as unique and often construct from scratch a specific model to meet the objectives.…”