Total simulation system for steel plate manufacturing based on the virtual factory concept

The development of a total simulation system for steel plate manufacturing is discussed. In numerical analysis of rolling, various approaches have been studied recently, such as applicable 3D analysis. However, a lot of problems remain for realization of the "virtual factory", i.e. a system that can thoroughly simulate the actual manufacturing in the plant. In order to utilize the simulation directly for manufacturing problems such as process design, various simulators should be integrated for use as the support system. An object-oriented model of a virtual manufacturing system for steel plate is proposed, in order to integrate the formerly developed simulator and to visualize the simulation results. This can realize the virtual evaluation of manufacturing that enables the user to understand the plate states at any time in the virtual manufacturing processes. This system should be effective in product/process design, operation design and process diagnosis.