Plant simulation becomes even easier
The portfolio of the simulation expert SimPlan AG ranges from the creation of “digital twins” of production and logistics processes through virtual commissioning to process simulation. At this year’s FachPack in Nuremberg, from 24 to 26 September, SimPlan AG will be presenting a wide range of simulation and software applications that can be used to configure manufacturing and packaging systems right through to logistics and calculate key performance indicators.
SimPlan AG, founded in 1992, is today a leader in the simulation of operational processes. Within its extensive portfolio, the company offers PacSi, a simulation system specially developed for this industry and its typical processes. PacSi is an in-house development of the Dresden branch, which has since been used internationally by machine builders and plant operators. A newly developed user interface and new PacSi functionalities will be presented at FachPack. The possibility for the simulation of energy and media consumption of a plant in dependence of the real operating conditions of the individual machines and interlinking systems is to be emphasized.
The function of a simple and fast “OEE calculation” of manufacturing and packaging plants for the immediate comparison of structure and design variants is completely new. OEE calculations up to the complete simulation enable a substantially increased decision security. This is especially indispensable for the planning, development and optimum operation of highly dynamic processing (production and packaging) in the food industry, pharmaceuticals and analog areas such as cosmetics, adhesives and detergents.
The optimal use of resources (minimized use of valuable raw materials, energy, media and personnel) is of utmost importance for both the plant supplier and the plant operator.
The early and resilient performance commitments required in successful business can no longer be met only by traditional empirical values due to the stochastic parameter fluctuations of natural raw materials (product and packaging), the stricter environmental criteria (Packaging Act 2019) and the unchecked trend towards ever smaller production batches.
It is precisely in this environment that the simulation methodology is applied. It is a scientifically recognised and practically proven means of determining performance indicators and optimising interlinked systems. It can be used to determine necessary plant structures, machine outputs and buffer sizes, but also the energy and personnel input as well as set-up and cleaning scenarios without risk.
The PacSi simulation system is a tool specially developed and optimized for this highly dynamic and high-performance area. Unlike many other products, PacSi uses a process-oriented or time-discrete approach for the simulation of such systems. Therefore, answers can be given much faster, a large number of necessary scenarios can be run in minutes instead of hours and thus a considerably increased statistical security can be guaranteed.
In addition, in proven cooperation with the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, it has been possible to significantly lower the entry barrier for simulation. With the help of a convenient “OEE calculation”, planners, service staff or purchasers can now easily configure a packaging system without special expert knowledge in the simulation methodology. In addition, the output, availability and efficiency of the various variants can be calculated in advance in a matter of minutes without the need for a simulation system. The advantages in sales and distribution processes (e.g. trade fairs, customer meetings etc.) as well as in early project phases of plant planning are obvious.
Until now, the creation of a simulation model required a full license of the simulation software PacSi in addition to the expert knowledge of the user. The new “OEE Calculation” functionality can also be licensed as an independent and cost-effective program package in the future, but is also part of the PacSi full license.
The plants created and configured in this way can of course be simulated and optimized in more detail with PacSi in later project phases if required. At the same time, SimPlan AG is developing an app that will also enable OEE calculation on mobile devices. SimPlan will also present this development at the upcoming FachPack.
SimPlan at FachPack 2019: Hall 1, Booth 1-230.
Appointments and guest tickets for FachPack 2019 are available at www.simplan.de/Simplan-messe-2019.
