Claude Dennis Pegden

Introduction to SIMAN

This paper discusses the concepts and methods for simulating manufacturing systems using the SIMAN simulation language. SIMAN is a general purpose simulation language which incorporates special purpose features greatly simplify and enhance the modeling of the material handling component of a manufacturing system.

Scheduling arrivals to queues

Abstract An algorithm is developed to determine the schedule for n arrivals to a single server exponential first come, first served service which will minimize the sum of customer waiting and server availability costs. The algorithm results in a n − 1 dimensional objective function which has been shown to be convex for n ⩽ 4 and is suspected to be convex for n ⩾ 5. The difficulty in demonstrating convexity for n ⩾ 5 is indicated.

SIMIO: a new simulation system based on intelligent objects

Over the 50 year history of discrete event simulation the growth in applications has been facilitated by some key advances in modeling that have simplified the process of building, running, analyzing, and viewing models. Three important advances have been: the modeling paradigm shift from an event to a process orientation, the shift from programming to graphical model building, and the emergence of 2D/3D animation for analyzing and viewing model execution. These key advances were made 25 years ago and provided the foundation for the current set of modeling tools that are in wide use today. The past 25 years has been a period of evolutionary improvements with no significant advances in the core approach to modeling. The tools that are in use today are really just refined versions of what existed 25 years ago. This paper describes a new modeling system - Simiotrade - that is a departure from the design of existing modeling tools with the aim of improving the activity of model building. Simio is designed to simplify model building by promoting a modeling paradigm shift from the process orientation to an object orientation.

SLAM: simulation language for alternative modeling

This paper introduces the new simulation language SLAM, which has the features of network-oriented, discrete-event, and continuous simulation languages. Emphasis is given to the use of networks and the combination of network models with discrete-event and continuous models. This paper discusses how models are developed using these different approaches and how they can be used in combination through the use of interfaces built into SLAM.

THE DEPARTURE PROCESS FOR THE M/M/1 QUEUE

The problem of determining the probability of j departures during the time interval (0, t) from an M/M/1 queue empty at t = 0 is considered. A closedform solution is obtained. It is shown that this solution is unique and invariant under interchanging the arrival rate and service rate. Finally, sample computational representations of the solution are developed and results of a simple computation are provided.

How technology limits simulation methodology (panel)

In the past decade, a number of technological changes and creative developments have taken place to enhance the effectiveness of tools used in simulation modeling. These include developments in: computers, simulation modeling languages, user-interface design, graphical animation, and statistical analysis techniques. These changes and developments have had a direct impact on the practitioners of simulation. Compared to a decade ago (when simulation was largely batch oriented, required a high level of programming skills, and lacked graphics for model construction and/or animation) the simulation practitioner today has considerably more powerful and easier to use tools for simulation. As a result, simulation projects today are both less difficult to perform, and are more likely to be successful.