Digital Factory – Integration of Simulation Enhancing the Product and Production Process towards Operative Control and Optimisation

The digital factory concept offers an integrated approach to enhance products and production engineering processes. Simulation is a key technology within this concept. Different types of simulation, such as discrete event or 3D-motion simulation can be applied in virtual models to various planning tasks and stages to improve the product and process planning at all levels. The focus and key factor is the integration of the various planning and simulation processes. In an advanced stage, simulation technology can be applied in the digital factory concept to enhance the operative production planning and control as an integrated process from the top level to the factory floor control. Further, the combination of simulation and optimisation techniques will offer advanced approaches for planning and improving the product development and production planning processes.