Abstract

The application of Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) models for purposes of planning and optimization of factories and supply networks is characterized with various abstraction levels and granularities of the model structure. These two aspects are dependent on the complexity of the systems to be simulated, the business goals to be achieved and the project objectives where the simulation models are deployed. This is especially intensified when different product parts and components on different levels withn the supply networks are included into one model, like production lines and work centers within existing and emerging factory shop floors combined with the network of suppliers and additionally flavoured with the ramp up of new products, new work centers or both. Very often the complexity is increased due to the organizational nature of production types and different project groups with own modelling paradigms. This is particularly a characteristic of supply networks that deliver very complex commodity products like whole power plants or respective components.