Cloud-based discrete event simulation for decision support in manufacturing

Ceramicx is an Irish SME which manufactures infra-red heating elements for industrial processing. In this Case Study, discrete event simulation will be used to model and optimise Ceramicx’s manufacturing processes. This is a highly numerically intensive task. Cloud-based-HPC processing is essential for this type of application to be affordable and accessible to SMEs. This Case Study will demonstrate how discrete event simulation can offer strategic, long-term, short-term and operational, decision support to manufacturing SMEs such as Ceramicx.

The design process for the components Ceramicx manufactures is a highly numerically intensive task. Cloud-based-HPC processing is essential for this type of application to be affordable and accessible to SMEs. The challenge in this experiment is therefore to demonstrate how discrete event simulation can offer strategic, long-term, short-term and operational, decision support to manufacturing SMEs such as Ceramicx.

The ability to analyse manufacturing data and deliver the results via the cloud is a key element in making this technology affordable to SMEs like Ceramicx. Being able to access this cloud-based model is essential for two reasons: harnessing the power of parallel computing to provide optimisation solutions in a timely manner; and reducing the cost of licensing and hardware at the SME through a pay-per-use model. This Fortissimo experiment is exploring the translation of the application from standalone computing to the cloud while also considering the interaction with the end-user, analysis consultant, developer and HPC provider.