Factory simulation gets it right the first time

Factory-simulation software is so sophisticated, it is now possible to simulate individual tools used during the production process. Factory-simulation software is so sophisticated, it is now possible to simulate individual tools used during the production process. AutoMod from Brooks Automation Inc. provides a realistic picture of how a facility will operate. Design changes made early in the productdevelopment process decrease the impact on production. UGS' e-factory line of business makes it possible for manufacturers to evaluate production scenarios before the product design has been finalized. With Delmia Corp.'s factory-simulation software, manufacturers can evaluate different product, process, and resource combinations. Creating a virtual factory eliminates the need for physical prototypes or physical mock-ups of the production tooling. Production Pilot is a virtual factory-software suite from Adept Technology Inc. Manufacturers can analyze and simulate the assembly line process, the robotic cell layout, and cycle times. When it comes time to plan and develop production lines and processes, manufacturers can find support with Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.'s eMPower software. It saves information in an electronic bill of processes that everyone working on a project can access via a Web browser. In today's highly competitive marketplace, manufacturers use the latest technology to shave time off production cycles, ramp up production, and speed time to market. One way companies can save time and money is by using factory-simulation software that lets them test production line activity before it is implemented. "The greatest benefits are that the expensive production tooling works right the first time and that the workstations are ergonomically safe and efficient," says Bob Brown, CEO