Henry Herper

Micro-GPSS on the Web and for Windows: a tool for introduction to simulation in high schools

There is a demand in European high schools for learning discrete-event simulation. The best system for this appears to be micro-GPSS (General-Purpose Simulation System). Up to now, micro-GPSS has lacked a graphical user interface (GUI) for model building. In this paper, two projects for such a GUI system are presented: WebGPSS, where the GUI is developed as a Java applet and the system runs over the World Wide Web, and WinGPSS, developed by Delphi to allow for a complete interface with other Windows programs.

Modelling strain of manual work in manufacturing systems

Without the use of simulation methods and technology complex logistical issues can only be dealt with insufficiently. While current research concentrates on technological aspects in the improvement of system behaviour, vital tasks in the field of production and logistics despite of increasing automation are undoubtedly assigned to human resources. Present simulation instruments are not or just rarely considering manual activities within the simulation process. The project EMSIG, supported by the BMFT (German Ministry for Research and Technology), builds up a model for the description of manual loads that can be effectively used in planning logistic systems. The author considers how simulation models with detailed worker description support the user in evaluating a manufacturing system in terms of ergonomic and economic aspects in the planning process.

GPSS 50 years old, but still young

In 2011, GPSS, the General Purpose Simulation System, celebrates its 50th anniversary. At the 2001 Winter Simulation Conference there were two papers dealing with the 40th anniversary of GPSS. With these papers available on the Web, this paper will concentrate on the developments of GPSS after 2001. There are still three systems with the GPSS name that are sold, supported and improved: GPSS/H, GPSS World and the educational aGPSS systems family. There has also been a substantial development of the successor of GPSS/H, SLX. Finally, Proof Animation, which is closely connected to some of the GPSS systems, has been substantially improved during the last decade.

Incorporating financial and ergonomic considerations into models of manufacturing systems

This contribution describes a modular concept by which simulation results can be post-run interpreted under different aspects (multifunctional interpretation). The extension of classic simulation models for materials flow systems and manufacturing systems by economic, ecological and environmental aspects as well as the advantages and limits of this approach are discussed in this paper. A gear manufacturing was chosen as an example to demonstrate the application of a multifunctional interpretation.

Diskrete Modellierung und Simulation - Methoden und Werkzeuge für den Informatikunterricht

Mit der Modellbildung und Simulation werden Techniken in den Informatikunterricht integriert, die heute in vielen Bereichen der Gesellschaft und der Industrie zu akzeptierten Verfahren gehoren. Neben den bisher in der Schule eingefuhrten Prognosemodellen haben die diskreten Modelle eine grose Bedeutung. Sie sind in der Schule bisher vernachlassigt worden, da die Modellbildung als zu schwierig eingestuft wurde und effektive Werkzeuge nicht verfugbar oder unbekannt waren. In diesem Beitrag wird die Moglichkeit des Einsatzes der diskreten Simulation im Schulunterricht der Sekundarstufe II vorgestellt. Es werden die Schritte zur Modellierung von Bediensystemen erlautert. Daraus wird eine Unterrichtsreihe zum Thema „Simulation von Bediensystemen“ abgeleitet. Am Beispiel der Simulation eines Friseurladens werden die Phasen des Modellbildungsprozesses und die Implementation mit der Simulationssprache Micro-GPSS vorgestellt.

Teaching simulation to ten thousand students: American-European cooperation and perspectives

This paper deals with the cooperation between three European and American simulation teachers, who together have taught simulation to over ten thousand students in five countries. They have, based on student feedback, developed an educational version of GPSS, the General Purpose Simulation System. This simplified system, aGPSS, has proved to be very easy to learn and also to use, for example, in student projects. The three teachers have also together written simulation textbooks in English and German.

Anwendung der Simulationstechnik zur präventiven Bewertung manueller Belastungen im Bereich der Logistik - ein Beitrag zur Entwicklung ganzheitlicher Planungsinstrumente

Komplexe logistische Fragestellungen sind ohne Einsatz der Simulationstechnik nur unzureichend zu beantworten, wobei die Verbesserung des technischen Anlagenverhaltens im Vordergrund der Arbeiten steht. Trotz zunehmender Automatisierung ubernimmt aber auch der Mensch in der Produktion und in der Logistik wichtige Aufgaben. Die heute am Markt befmdlichen Simulationsinstrumente bieten bei der Abbildung des menschlichen Verhaltens, insbesondere manueller Tatigkeiten, hier unterschiedliche Unterstutzung. Durch das vom BMFT geforderte Projekt EMSIG wird erstmals ein Modell zur Beschreibung manueller Belastungen in logistischen Systemen entwickelt werden.