Reducing model creation cycle time by automated conversion of a CAD AMHS layout design

Simulation is a popular tool for accurately estimating the performance of an automated material handling system (AMHS). Accuracy of the model is normally dependent on a detailed description of the AMHS physical system components and their coordinate positions. In this paper, a methodology is defined for automatically inputting the physical system components used to describe an AMHS within a simulation language. The method is based on data extraction from a CAD layout file of the system. Automatically generating the physical system components reduces simulation model building time and increases model accuracy.