A streamlined simulation workflow for emulation projects

Abstract

The interest of the concept digital twins and virtual commissioning has been increasing in the industry during the last decade. Tools for simulation and emulation are existing in software with a high complexity. However, while the methods for simulation is highly developed, the same type of methodology for emulation projects in inconsistent and seems to be missing by the industry. At the same time, simulation studies struggles with a high resource consumption and results in high costs for the companies. To provide efficiency in the design and realization of automated material handling systems, this thesis investigates how the simulation studies can be more streamlined by eliminating waste. This is done by identifying the non-value adding activities and suggesting an approach to remove them from the process. Further this thesis is investigating how the streamlined approach for simulation studies, can be applied to emulation projects within the same company. The research was conducted with a case study in the logistics company Swisslog AB in Partille, Sweden. The departments investigated was the simulation department and controls department.