Track: Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

This paper describes a framework to integrate and synchronize discrete event simulation (DES) models and system dynamics (SD) simulation models. SD is used to model the total manufacturing enterprise system while DES models are used to provide detailed simulations of the manufacturing processes in the system. The SD and DES models are synchronized to reach a comprehensive simulation that accommodate all management levels in a single structure, while recognizing the differences in terms of scope and frequency of decision making, and levels of details suitable at each management level. The current approach can maintain the integrity of the two simulation paradigms and can use existing/legacy simulation models without requiring learning new simulation skills. We discuss certain technical details in synchronizing the two simulation paradigms: the types and format of data exchanged, and the need for replications in DES. We propose dividing the DES model run into a number of mini runs (segments), and describe the resumption algorithm that is meant to ensure statistical validity of the data obtained from each DES segment.