Flexible Simulation Modeling as a Mechanism to Pervasively Implement Simulation in the Automotive Industry

The focus of this effort is to illustrate to the decision-makers in the automobile industry the value of Flexible Simulation Modeling (FSM) as a mechanism to implement pervasive simulation modeling.

Pervasive simulation implies the use of simulation throughout the organization from design of the product to actual production of the product. This concept is a key to automotive manufacturers reducing their cost of reiterative modification, and destructive testing.

Flexible Simulation Models is a term that describes simulation models that is coupled with other software to allow the user to redesign the production process to modify the characteristics of the current production process in a user friendly manner to encourage the use of simulation. FSM has two primary advantages over current static simulation modeling. First, the user is no longer dependent on simulation expertise or a programmer to reprogram the model when changes to the model want to be investigated. Second, FSM can be utilized for a variety of scenarios rather than developing a separate model for each change. FSM is a key to implement simulation pervasively throughout organizations. A case study of FSM analysis of the production of circuit boards is presented and its application to the automotive industry discussed.