Virtual Manufacturing : Tools for improving Design and Production

TL;DR

Virtual Manufacturing integrates design, planning, and production processes through modeling, simulation, and optimization, aiming to enhance decision-making and efficiency in manufacturing systems.

Contribution

The paper introduces Virtual Manufacturing as an integrated environment that improves manufacturing decision-making and process optimization through advanced simulation tools.

Findings

Virtual Manufacturing shortens production cycle times.

It enhances decision-making in manufacturing processes.

Simulation tools improve process optimization.

Abstract

The research area "Virtual Manufacturing" can be defined as an integrated manufacturing environment which can enhance one or several levels of decision and control in manufacturing process. Several domains can be addressed: Product and Process Design, Process and Production Planning, Machine Tool, Robot and Manufacturing System. As automation technologies such as CAD/CAM have substantially shortened the time required to design products, Virtual Manufacturing will have a similar effect on the manufacturing phase thanks to the modelling, simulation and optimisation of the product and the processes involved in its fabrication.