A Core Manufacturing Simulation Data Information Model for Manufacturing Applications

Simulation technology has been demonstrated to be an effective tool for reducing costs, improving quality, and shortening the time-to-market for manufactured goods in the manufacturing industry. But, there are a number of technical and economic barriers that hinder the use of this technology in the manufacturing industry. The cost of developing, implementing, and using simulation technology is high. The costs of integrating simulation systems with other manufacturing applications are even higher. There is always a need to transfer, exchange and share data between simulation and other manufacturing applications. Developing custom-built proprietary interfaces is too costly and makes using simulation technology prohibitive for most users. The development of reusable, neutral, standard interface, would make it easier and could help reduce the costs to integrate simulation and other manufacturing applications. NIST researchers in collaboration with industrial partners have been working on a standards development effort titled Core Manufacturing Simulation Data (CMSD) Product Development Group (PDG) under the guidelines, policies and procedures of the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO). This paper presents the purpose of the CMSD effort, provides an overview of the CMSD Information Model, and describes an approach on how the CMSD Information Model is used to support the integration of manufacturing simulations.