Simulation based design for a shipyard manufacturing process

Discrete event simulation can be used for virtual prototyping of new manufacturing facilities. Models built for this purpose must be easy to use, flexible, and provide a realistic graphical view of the proposed system. The DESTINY project has developed models of plate processing operations to assist shipyards in modernizing their plate fabrication lines. Configuration information for a proposed line is collected via a Web interface, which then launches a program to build and execute a simulation of the system. Graphics images and statistical reports are then returned to the user via the Web interface. The approach allows rapid analysis of technology improvements and a visualization of proposed system operation.