Simulation of Manufacturing Systems Using SIMAN

Summary This paper discusses the concepts and methods for simulating manufacturing systems using the new SIMAN simulation language. SIMAN is a powerful general purpose language which incorporates a number of special purpose features which are specifically designed to enhance the modeling of manufacturing systems. These features greatly simplify the task of modeling the material handling component of a manufacturing system. The modeling concepts included in SIMAN are illustrated by several small example models. In addition, a recent application of SIMAN to model a manufacturing system at an industrial plant is discussed. This application involved a comparison of proposed group technology layouts against the existing conventional layout in the plant.