Control of transient phase for discrete event simulation using computational steering

Traditional steps in a discrete event manufacturing simulation are to prepare input variables, select simulation parameters, run the simulation and review the results after the execution is completed. In a new approach proposed, we utilize an interactive simulation to obtain improved solutions and instant feedback from the proposed production system. A computational steering tool is provided to give the user an increased control of the simulation. This interactive tool gives the user power to view the simulation results dynamically and to control the simulation in real-time. A case study that uses computational steering to reduce the length of the transient phase in steady-state analysis of simulation is presented.