EPES Simulation Module (SM)

Simulation Module (SM) The simulation module can be seen as the lowest level component in the architecture, where it is accessed and its services are used by higher tier components. The purpose of the SM is to interface with simulation software and data that is external to the EPES system. The module allows users to integrate external simulation tools by editing configuration files in the EPES VCN repository. It also acts as an integration component between the VCN and the DMM. SM provides data models and user interfaces for configuring the transformation of data between the VCN and the simulation software. The SM functions in close co-operation with the DMM utilizing DMM functions for managing simulation parameters, executing simulation tool, analysing simulation results and aggregating the productivity and sustainability KPIs. The simulation module provides a service for automated generation of simulation execution processes for the optimization engine provided by the DMM. As a very generic tool, the optimization engine has a flat and static view of the simulation models that are executed. The SM transformation service allows the user to express an optimization processes in terms of the schema of the structured data of a whole class of simulation models. For example, in Demonstrator BC3, the simulation module has been used for configuring an optimization process for selecting the optimal combination manufacturing methods for each aircraft wing component, regardless of the number of the wing components or the available set of manufacturing methods available in each concept design. Without this transformation service, there would be a considerable amount of manual work in setting up the optimization run for each individual design case.