Extraction of Behavioural Requirements for Simulation-based Performance Evaluation of Manufacturing Systems

A simulation model enables manufacturers to accurately evaluate the performance of their manufacturing systems. A vital input to build simulation models of manufacturing systems is the system behaviour, which is modelled based on extensive data on manufacturing systems and their elements. However, for outsourced manufacturing systems, data provided from external suppliers to manufacturers are generally limited and insufficient. Therefore, a solution is required to identify and secure system behaviour from available data. We propose herein a behaviour extraction process along with detailed activities and diagrams to extract system behaviour from limited data. By using the systems engineering standard ANSI/EIA-632, the proposed process systematically restructures available data on a manufacturing system and its elements and then provides complete system behaviour to build a simulation model. A case study on a cooling water control system in a hot strip mill convincingly demonstrates the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed process.