Key issues and developments in modelling and simulation-based methodologies for manufacturing systems analysis, design and performance evaluation.

Discrete event simulation (DES) has been widely applied to modelling and simulation of computer and engineering systems and is an active field of research that has now evolved from 2D to 3D discrete event simulation. This paper attempts to address several key issues in a successful implementation of DES models based on our own and the previous experiences of others. It describes the common basis, which forms the core for the application of modelling and simulation methodologies that are available to support manufacturing systems analysis, design and performance evaluation. Through a comprehensive literature survey, this paper summarises and compares the most widely used optimisation techniques for simulation of manufacturing systems; an overview of the recent and popular simulation languages and packages available for the modelling and simulation community and the classification of their utility for modelling and simulation of manufacturing systems is also given. Finally, this paper summarises and reports the latest development in the most exciting world wide web (www)-based simulation techniques that represent a future that may completely change the nature and future exploitation of modelling and simulation technology in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]