Simulation, Animation, Virtual Reality and Virtual Manufacturing

Simulation

By

Poorya Ghafoorpoor Yazdi

Outlines

• Introduction to Simulation• Simulation Applications• Advantages of Simulation• Arena as a simulation software

Introduction to Simulation

• Definition

Simulation is the process of designing a model of a real system and conducting experiments with this model for the purpose of either understanding the behavior of the system and/or evaluating various strategies for the operation of the system

Introduction to Simulation

Ability of the simulation• Model complex systems in a detailed way

Ability of the simulation

• Describe the behavior of systems

Ability of the simulation

• Construct theories or hypotheses that account for the observed behavior

• Use the model to predict future behavior, that is, the effects that will be produced by changes in the system

• Analyze proposed systems

Application of Simulation

• COMPUTER SYSTEMS: hardware components, software systems, networks, data base management, information processing, etc..

Application of Simulation

• MANUFACTURING: material handling systems, assembly lines, automated production facilities, inventory control systems, plant layout, etc..

Application of Simulation

• BUSINESS: stock and commodity analysis, pricing policies marketing strategies, cash flow analysis, forecasting, etc..

Application of Simulation

• GOVERNMENT: military weapons and their use, military tactics, population forecasting, land use, health care delivery, fire protection, criminal justice, traffic control, etc..

Advantages of Simulation

• Can be used to study existing systems without disrupting the ongoing operations.

• Proposed systems can be “tested” before committing resources.

• Allows us to control time.

• Allows us to gain insight into which variables are most important to system performance.

Real Examples

• Simulation of an Intelligent parking lot system• Simulation of a manufacturing assembly line

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

Simulation Requirements • System design around one control language program (PLC)• Control Software (Siemens PLC)• Computer with appropriate hardware and software

configuration

Simulation Goals• Modification of the timers according to the necessary time for

car to pass the gates • Modification of the counter base of the parking capacity• Achieve the synchronization among the gates

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

Simulation Achievements

• Lower operation cost• Ease of programming or(reprogramming)• Low failure rate• Finally the ability to optimize the timing for heavy traffic

conditions

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

Procedure1- Design the ladder based programThe ‘PLC’ program is designed to associate parking gate control system in parallel with the capacity of the parking:

• A- At First stage, the parking is empty both gates are closed• B- First car going to be in front of the first Sensor and send a

signal as an input to PLC • C- This Signal will be a run signal for the Counter to start

counting the number of the empty spaces in the parking (Counting Up)

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

• D- When Sensor 1 and Counter become activate in the PLC, activating the timer will be output of the PLC in this stage.

• E- Timer is set to close the gate after 6 second for the car to pass (timer off)

• F- The procedure will be continued to fill the empty spaces totally.

• G- Now the parking is full and no more car allow to go in. In this case the entrance gate will be disabled.

• H- When a car wants to leave the parking sensor 2 will be activated and will be as an input to PLC to start the counter down.

• I- Any counted number will be considered as the empty space in parking and let the entrance gate to be open.

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

• 2- To achieve the automation of traffic lights time, it is necessary to provide the information to ‘PLC’ in terms of the state equations, which are converted into ladder diagram

Simulation of an Intelligent Traffic control system

3- Transfer the program to PLC

4- Verify the program on PC monitor