Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Straßburger

Simulation als Methode der Digitalen Fabrik hat sich seit langem zur Unterstützung der Planung von Produktions- und Logistiksystemen etabliert. In Ergänzung zu bisher vorherrschenden Simulationsstudien wird bei der hier vorgestellten Methode der Wissensentdeckung in Simulationsdaten ein Simulationsmodell als Datengenerator verwendet. Dadurch können mittels Data-Mining- und Visual-Analytics-Methoden versteckte und potenziell nützliche Ursache-Wirkungs-Beziehungen in den generierten Daten aufgedeckt werden. Bislang fehlte es jedoch an integrierten Softwarelösungen für die Praxis.

With the increasing availability of data, the desire to interpret that data and use it for behavioral predictions arises. Traditionally, simulation has used data about the real system for input data analysis or within data-driven model generation. Automatically extracting behavioral descriptions from the data and representing it in a simulation model is a challenge for these approaches. Machine learning on the other hand has proven successful in extracting knowledge from large data sets and transforming it into more useful representations. Combining simulation approaches with methods from machine learning seems, therefore, promising. Representing some aspects of a real system by a traditional simulation model and others by a model generated from machine learning, a hybrid system model (HSM) is generated. This paper discusses such HSMs and suggests a specific HSM incorporating a deep learning method for predicting the power consumption of machining jobs.

Die automatische Modellgenerierung (AMG) ist ein Ansatz, der darauf abzielt, sowohl die Aufwände einer Simulationsstudie zu senken als auch die Qualität der erzeugten Modelle zu verbessern. Unter automatischer Modellgenerierung werden im Kontext der Simulation verschiedene Ansätze subsumiert, die es erlauben, Simulationsmodelle oder zumindest Teile von Simulationsmodellen mittels Algorithmen zu erzeugen. Eine umfassende Klassifizierung der Ansätze nach verschiedenen Merkmalen ist Ausgangspunkt weiterer Betrachtungen des Beitrags, in denen u. a. verschiedene technische Ansätze zur Modellgenerierung diskutiert werden. Weiterhin werden ergänzende Techniken, die die eigentliche Modellgenerierung flankierenden, wie z. B. die automatische Modellinitialisierung, diskutiert. Als ein möglicher Lösungsansatz wird beispielhaft ein Framework zur automatischen Modellgenerierung, -initialisierung und -adaption, welches das standardisierte Core Manufacturing Simulation Data (CMSD) Format als Basis nutzt, beschrieben.

The automatic generation of simulation models has been a recurring research topic for several years. In manufacturing industries, it is currently also becoming a topic of high practical relevance. A well-known challenge in most model generation approaches is the correct reproduction of the dynamic behaviour of model elements, for example, buffering or control strategies. This problem is especially relevant in simulation-based manufacturing control. In such scenarios, simulation models need to reflect the current state and behaviour of the real system in a highly accurate way, otherwise its suggested control decisions may be inaccurate or even dangerous towards production goals. This paper introduces a novel methodology for approximating dynamic behaviour using artificial neural networks, rather than trying to determine exact representations. We suggest using neural networks in conjunction with traditional material flow simulation systems whenever a certain decision cannot be made ex ante in the model generation process due to insufficient knowledge about the behaviour of the real system. In such cases the decision is delegated to the neural network, which is connected to the simulation system at runtime. Training of the neural network is performed by observation of the real systems decision and based on the evaluation of data that can be gained through production data acquisition. Our approach has certain advantages compared to other approaches and is especially well suited in the context of on-line simulation and simulation-based operational decision support. We demonstrate the applicability of our methodology using a case study and report on performance results.

In Operations Research and Management Science (OR/MS), Discrete Event Simulation (DES) models are typically created using commercial off-the-shelf simulation packages (CSPs) such as AnyLogic, Arena, Flexsim, Simul8, SLX, Witness, and so on. A DES model represents the processes associated with a system of interest. Some models may be composed of submodels running in their own CSPs on different computers linked together over a communications network via distributed simulation software. The creation of a distributed simulation with CSPs is still complex and typically requires a partnership of problem owners, modelers, CSP vendors, and distributed simulation specialists. In an attempt to simplify this development and foster discussion between modelers and technologists, the SISO-STD-006-2010 Standard for COTS Simulation Package Interoperability Reference Models has been developed. The standard makes it possible to capture interoperability capabilities and requirements at a DES modeling level rather than a computing technical level. For example, it allows requirements for entity transfer between models to be clearly specified in DES terms (e.g. the relationship between departure and arrival simulation times and input element (queue, workstation, etc.), buffering rules, and entity priority, instead of using specialist technical terminology. This article explores the motivations for distributed simulation in this area, related work, and the rationale for the standard. The four Types of Interoperability Reference Model described in the standard are discussed and presented (A. Entity Transfer, B. Shared Resource, C. Shared Event, and D. Shared Data Structure). Case studies in healthcare and manufacturing are given to demonstrate how the standard is used in practice.

Seq2Seq is a machine learning method that allows to translate sequences into other sequences. This method has been tried in hybrid simulation of machine tools. The method has been used to generate time series of energy consumption of jobs from the corresponding numerical control code that runs on a machine tool. Seq2Seq suffers from various problems. Firstly, the creation of training data is costly. Secondly, standard Seq2Seq metrics only allow for the evaluation of a prediction of one timestamp at a time, not an entire time series. Thirdly, training metrics are failing when vanilla data is used, as two identical numerical control codes can result in deviating time series. This causes confusion for the model in the training loop, as it is not clear which time series should be considered correct. Here we propose a holistic framework to all three problems, that contains synthetic data, additional metrics for time series and dynamic time warping.

This paper discusses High Level Architecture (HLA) based simulation in the context of the emergence of the private spaceflight industry called New Space. We postulate that distributed simulation plays a fundamental role in facilitating new opportunities of a cost efficient access to space. HLA defines a simulation system's architecture framework with a focus on reusability and interoperability. The article will therefore discuss the impact of its usage on the potential of affordable new aerospace systems developments. Future possibilities with an increased level of loose component coupling are presented.

The price of a commodity, as electricity, is determined on a commodity market. A market is efficient when the supply and demand in the market are at an equilibrium. Efficient markets run on information. Information can cause a spontaneous and instantaneous change within the supply and demand in a market. The market communicates this new equilibrium through the change of the price of a commodity. In the electricity market the supplier and consumer communicate through electrical load profiles. A load profile signals when and how much energy should be consumed within a certain time frame without causing a change in the price of electricity. Creating such load profiles is commonly done by the supplier of energy by means of standard load profiles. Here we propose a data-driven simulation-based method that allows for the consumer to create its own specific load profile, which potentially will bring down the cost of energy consumed.

The traditional application of simulation in production and logistics is usually aimed at changing certain parameters in order to answer clearly defined objectives or questions. In contrast to this approach, the method of knowledge discovery in simulation data (KDS) uses a simulation model as a data generator (data farming). Subsequently using data mining methods, hidden, previously unknown and potentially useful cause-effect relationships can be uncovered. So far, however, there is a lack of guidelines and automatization-tools for non-experts or novices in KDS, which leads to a more difficult use in industrial applications and prevents a broader utilization. This paper presents a concept for automating the first step of the KDS, which is the process of characterization of the result data, using meta learning and validates it on small case study.

The concept of the Digital Twin in the context of Industry 4.0 is omnipresent in research concerning manufacturing. However, the understanding of the term varies between applications. Although scholars have previously reviewed research on the topic, a consensus was never reached. Therefore, this paper attempts to compare existing reviews relating to the Digital Twin with the purpose of detecting prevalent as well as contrasting views on key issues. It elucidates commonalities in terminology, conceivable benefits as well as remaining research issues. Hence, it provides a conceptual outline of the Digital Twin that further research can build upon.