A simulator of the manufacturing of induction motors

A simulator of the manufacturing process of induction motors is presented whose main purpose is to provide feedback in the form of motor cost and production scheduling during the design process. Emphasis is on modeling and simulating a factory, modeling production costs, and providing examples of how the design of electric motors can be improved by taking manufacturing information into account via software. The simulator uses principles of system dynamics and technical cost modeling to model the flows of materials and evolution of the product through manufacturing stages across the factory floor. The inputs to the simulator are blueprint data for motor design and the status of the factory. The output is cost and schedule information. The simulator also provides a mechanism whereby design variables can be tested for variations that produce cost improvements.<>