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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Manufacturing Systems Simulation
Module Code MM584
School School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: John Geraghty
Semester 2: John Geraghty
Autumn: John Geraghty
Module TeachersJohn Geraghty
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Students may avail of a resit opportunity within the DCU resit examination period and resubmit coursework for reassessment before the resit period begins
Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce the fundamentals of the field of engineering and scientific practice of Discrete Event Simulation. In this module students will develop knowledge and skills in developing and analysing simulation models with particular emphasis on manufacturing systems problems. Students will participate in the following learning activities: they will attend weekly lectures and laboratory, participate in assignments and present for end of semester examination This module can be delivered to distance learning students but may require the students to complete alternative assignments as software is not available off-campus

Learning Outcomes

1. develop conceptual, paper based, models of manufacturing systems problems as a prior step to developing a discrete event simulation model
2. develop a discrete event simulation model.
3. distinguish between the concepts of model verification, validation and credibility and make recommendations on how to best accomplish each of these in a manufacturing environment
4. assess the goodness of fit of a theoretical probability distribution to a dataset of observations
5. analyse the outputs of discrete event simulation models to determine appropriate simulation model run lenghts, identify the warm-up period, and determine the appropriate number of runs required to achieve a desired level of confidence in the estimate of a performance measure
6. identify and implement an appropriate variance reduction technique when designing simulation experiments
7. analyse the output of simulation models to compare the results of two or more alternative system configurations and/or operating policies



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Laboratory24No Description
Assignment Completion24Lab assignments due one week after lab (weeks 1 to 6 only)
Assignment Completion48Development of a DES
Directed learning38Exam preparation and exam time
Independent Study29.5preparation for lectures and labs etc, library research and reading
Total Workload: 187.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Types of simulation
discrete, continuous, combined.

Stochastic simulation.

Discrete simulation
entities, activities, events, queues, sets, states.

Overview of simulation software.

Simulation Input Data Analysis
goodness of fit tests

Simulation Output Analysis
Determining the appropriate number of runs, run lenght and Warm-up period

Variance Reduction Techniques
the method of Common Random Numbers and the Antithetic Variates VRT

Comparing Alternative Scenarios
Comparing the output data from simulation models in order to determine the best alternative

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment50% Examination Weight50%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentLab assessment - due one week after lab (first 6 labs only)30%Week 1
AssignmentIndividual Assignment - Develop a DES20%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Averill M. Law W. David Kelton: 2007, Simulation Modeling and Analysis, 4th, McGraw-Hill,
Other Resources

Programme or List of Programmes
CAMIMMEng in Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
ECSAStudy Abroad (Engineering & Computing)
ECSAOStudy Abroad (Engineering & Computing)
MCMECMicro-Credential Modules Eng & Comp
MEPDPhD
MEPMMEng
MEPTPhD-track
MMMEMEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng
MMQBQualifier B for MEng. Mech & Manu Eng.
SMPECSingle Module Programme (Eng & Comp)
Date of Last Revision16-AUG-11
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