41309 Factory Modelling and Simulation
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Recommended studies:
Students are recommended to have completed an introductory subject in the area of manufacturing engineering, such as 41301 Industrial Engineering, 41304 Production System Design, or 41053 Materials and Manufacturing Engineering A.
Description
The simulation of factory and manufacturing processes is a crucial element of advanced manufacturing. With rapid advances in digital technologies, modelling and simulation approaches are becoming ever more powerful, to predict, evaluate and compare the performance of physical facilities and production equipment.
State-of-the-art modelling approaches and practices are used to deliver the learning experience to formulate requirements for implementation in different manufacturing scenarios. Case studies from industrial practice and hands-on demonstrations are vital elements to be used to experience the complexities of modelling and simulating production processes.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate basic modelling and simulation approaches and their requirements to be applied in different production scenarios. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply methods and techniques to model and simulate production processes. (C.1) |
| 3. | Analyse the business, social and environmental context of production systems. (B.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is structured around a factory modelling and simulation project geared towards solving a real-life problem in the context of production processes. The subject is offered in block mode, consisting of five full-day workshops in three blocks.
The first block covers modelling and simulation approaches as well as their role in performance measurement of production environments. This equips students with the relevant knowledge and tools to model and analyse the current state in a manufacturing scenario of their choice (assessment task 1).
The second block covers the application of modelling and simulation approaches to different manufacturing environments including the analysis of simulation results. This enables students to begin work on the Future State Design (assessment task 2), building on their insights from the Current State Analysis (assessment task 1).
The third block includes demonstrations and discussions of the Future State Design (assessment task 2). Current State Analysis and Future State Design can be based on the student’s workplace to ensure workplace alignment and relevance.
Continuous individual and group feedback are integral to Block workshops. Engage in feedback opportunities when discussing approaches and tools and their application, and during student consultations for the initial proposal, Current State Analysis and online for assessment tasks.
Workshops during each Block are reliant on the use of preparation materials for each block, e.g. short videos or readings. Preparatory material will be provided online as a basis for the discussion during the workshops. Workshops include a variety of interactive activities such as group and individual problem-solving sprints as well as gamification to facilitate practice-based learning.
Content (topics)
- Modelling and simulation approaches
- Criteria for the selection and application of modelling and simulation approaches to different manufacturing scenarios
- Framework to predict, evaluate and compare production performance
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Current State Analysis
| Intent: | To communicate a convincing analysis of a target company’s manufacturing system. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | One-page poster |
Assessment task 2: Future State Design
| Intent: | Use discussions and feedback to collaboratively simulate a manufacturing system and share insights. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | 20min per team |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
None
Recommended texts
Available online with subject materials