flecsimo 0.1.3

A research/educational simulation model of a IIoT cellular production site.

flecsimo

Software components of the research/educational model of a cellular production site. This development is part of the flecsimo project (flexible cellular manufacturing simulation model), initiated at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and co-funded by DigLL 2020 (https://www.digll-hessen.de/).

Release notes 0.1.3

This release is a development release. It does not implement all desired features and only promises to work, if the user does exactly the right things in the right way. With this, it should be considered as a "proof of concept", rather than a general usable software.

THEREFORE: this version is not intended to be used in real learning environments!

Installation

Use pypi install flecsimo to install a testable version and all required python dependencies. It is recommended to install in a virtualenv.

Additional to the pypi installation, you have to install, configure and run a mqtt server to fully operate flecsimo (e.g. Eclipse mosquitto, see https://mosquitto.org).

Testing

After installation (using a virtualenv) you will find the libraries in the site-packages directory and the executable python scripts in your script directory. Running the scripts requires to set PYTHONPATH or to call the scripts as arguments of the python interpreter, e.g. python Scripts\site_control.py

This version does not include the uni-test scripts (as they are not ready to use yet). Visit the documentation homepage https://confluence.frankfurt-university.de/display/FFP. Information how to run a test scenario will be published there soon.

Closing Remarks:

If You are interested in the concept and want to support us in development, design of future use cases, or just providing feedback, please contact the maintainers.

Why flecsimo?

For detailed information on visit https://confluence.frankfurt-university.de/display/FFP

Problem statement

The current developments in production logistics - generally discussed under the terms of digitisation or Industry 4.0 - will have a considerable impact on the working and living world of the future. Key elements of this change are so-called "cyber-physical systems", i.e. the integration of IT systems into physical devices.

The technical complexity of these systems, however, makes access difficult for non-technical, especially business management courses of study, although the topic is of great relevance to these in particular. Pure software simulations of such systems are very complex to realize, didactically difficult to use and demonstrate the cyber-physical character of digitization only very abstractly and thus often incomplete.

Planned solution

The project comprises the design and implementation of a hardware simulation model with four autonomous workstations (e.g "drilling", "painting", ...) as cyber-physical production systems.

The workstations are based on Fischertechnik training models and can be positioned anywhere in the four fields of a carrier module . This results in the grid of a so-called "flexible cell production", as it is forced in practice for Industry 4.0 scenarios. An autonomous, self-propelled transportation system handles the material flows between the stations. In addition, a high-bay warehouse or existing Fischertechnik Training Model can be connected. The plant is equipped with cameras that allow the processes to be transmitted to other locations.

Along with the technical solution, the project will offer the required learning material.

Intended users

The flecsimo project is licensed under GPLv3+. We hope that users at Universities and educational institutions benefit from our solution, but we would also be happy to get support from an open user community to keep on development.

Roadmap

The system will be used first at Frankfurt University in winter term 2020/21. It will comprise

• the workstations communication backbone
• the first physical models
• the first version of learning material

Based on the evaluation of winter term, we plan to implement the following features on mid- to longterm base:

• improve stability
• improve management of the site (including improved GUIs and a simulation cockpit)
• importer for ERP data (e.g. SAP IDocs)
• collecting readings in time series databases (like kafka)
• gradually implement automatic transportation between workstations and warehouse (e. g. an AGV model).
• implement logistics planning algorithms and data analysis
• ... and everything which we like to do :)