Aims of simulation

Phrasing of aims starts out any simulation study. The fundamental purpose of the generation of a new or change of an existing plant is to increase the profitability of a company.
This aim can be achieved by means of the measures depicted in figure 1.

Points 1. and 3. are market-oriented.
Points 2. and 4. are operation-oriented. [VDI 3633 (1992)]

Concrete aims of a simulation study could be e.g.:

• Increase of machine utilisation
• Reduction of personnel requirements
• Reduction of storage area requirements
• Higher performance
• Shorter throughput times
• Evaluation of layout alternatives
• Determination of the number of vehicles required within an automated guided vehicle system
• Determination of the required buffer sizes
• Optimisation of control strategies

In order to achieve these aims, the functionality of the simulation must comply with the user's requirements.