Manufacturing simulation : Good practice, pitfalls, and advanced applications

The paper describes manufacturing simulation with a focus on discrete event simulation and computer aided robotics. Some generic good practices, problems, and pitfalls in the use of simulation are described. Some advanced applications of manufacturing simulation are described and elucidated on the hand of a system for simulation-based service & maintenance. Simulation-based decision support and information fusion are closely related, and plans for novel synergistic research in these area are presented