Plant Simulation Software, what works? 3

[AaronA]

I have been assigned the task of researching plant simulation software, but the only thing I have been able to find is "Arena Factory Analyzer." What else is available? Has anyone used this particular program, and if so what did you think? Thanks for any help that you can give me on this topic! Aaron

 

[JeffdlS]

Aaron,

It really depends on what you need. Does it need to contain 3-D graphics? How much data are you going to analyze? Will you be looking at a medium-to-high volume assemblies? Here are a few links to some other simulation software packages.

AutoMod from Autosimulations Division of Brooks Automation Inc.

http://www.autosim.com

MAST Simulation Environment from CMS Research Inc.

http://www.cmsres.com

Quest from Delmia Corp.

http://www.delmia.com

VR and Witness from Lanner Group Inc.

http://www.lanner.com

Micro Saint from Micro Analysis & Design

http://www.maad.com

Arena from Rockwell Software Inc.

http://www.rockwellsoftware.com

Standard and Enterprise Editions from Simul8 Corp.

http://www.simul8.com

eM-Workplace from Tecnomatix Technologies

http://www.tecnomatix.com

Arena just happens to be the most marketed simulation package. Plus, it is in some of the universities & hence, it's recognized by graduates. Hopefully, that helps some

 

[fjpp]

AaronA, if you are looking for a software to model the dynamics of your manufacturing process, there are a few other softwares that might help you out

Simcad
Simprocess
Simul8
Arena

However if your are trying to cope with another kind of dynamics such as your entire production dynamics I would recommend: ithink, powersim or vensim.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[MMoeser]

Just a suggestion from painful personal experience. Unless you (& your management) commit to significant ongoing support of your simulation software & models you run a high risk of being disappointed.

If the process or operation that you are modelling is small, it can be done effectively in house.

If you are looking at more than one flow than I recommend that you seriously consider exploring a simulation firm. They have the expertise to ask all of the questions and put the model together efficiently. They can also help to generate the pretty pictures & animations that management always likes to see while giving the engineers the information necessary to improve operations.

 

[dkrahl]

Aaron,

This may be a little late, but if you go to

http://www.informs-cs.com,

you will find all of the major simulation software products (and a few minor ones). You will even find ours, Extend.

Dave Krahl
Imagine That, Inc

 

[Masry]

It is a little bit late.

if are to simulate a dynamic system take a look at Flexsim
it is very powerfull.becuse it very friendly and also can animate your system in 3D

http://www.flexsim.com

Also the process model is great because u can have alot of data that can be analyzed.

http://www.processmodel.com

The most important thing when u search for a simulation software , is to make sure of his ability to import and export data from/to familiar softwares such as MS excel and access.

 

[rrrivv]

AaronA

Check SmartProcess from Emerson (

http://www.Westinghousepc.com)