Last modified: 23/02/2006

Course Code: wb3417-04

Course name: Discrete Systems: Modeling, Prototyping, Simulation and Control

ECTS credit points: 5

Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE)

Lecturer(s): Dr. Ir. J.A. Ottjes,

Dr. Ir. H.P.M. Veeke, Ir. M.B. Duinkerken

Tel.:  015-27 84318

Catalogue data:

Modelling, discrete simulation, process, logistics, production, transport, control

 

Course year:

MSc 1st year

Period:

1A / 1B

Hours per week:

2   Lectures

Other hours:

Practical

Assessment:

Written test +practical

in groups of 4 students

Assessment period:

1B, 2A

(see academic calendar)

 

Educational requirements:

Follow up:

Detailed description of topics:

This is a course on the modelling of discrete systems for transport and production. It deals with a method to quickly design flexible prototype models and to implement them in a simulation environment. The method is based on the systems approach in combination with process-interaction modelling. Special attention is paid to the modelling of controls and the use of these models for real-time control. A number of practical examples, including a production process, a transport system and a port will be considered. The first part of the course ends with a written test. Those who have attained a satisfactory result will be admitted to second part of the course. This takes the form of a practical. The students, working in project groups, develop models of realistic cases. Following on from this, a model or part thereof is implemented in a distributed simulation environment.

Course material:

A text book (in preparation), hand outs, recent publications in the subject area and a Web site: www.tomasweb.com and www.delphibasics.co.uk

References from the literature:

Remarks (Specific information relating to assessment, entry requirements, etc.):

This main subject lecture course is provided by the Transport Technology (TT) section of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE).

The first part of the course will be followed by written test. It the result of the written test is satisfactory, students may proceed to the second part of the course. This comprises a practical, in which students working in project groups, make a model (in the form of a written exercise) and then implement the model in a simulation language. The course concludes with a short report. The final assessment is based on the combined results of the written test and the practical.

Learning goals:

The student must be able to:

  1. decompose the system into relevant classes of elements, patterned on the real-world elements of the system

  2. distinguish the relevant properties of the element classes

  3. distinguish the active element classes and provide their process description

  4. formulate the goal of the simulation project

  5. distinguish the relevant parameters and performance indicators

  6. define the input required

  7. set up an experimental plan

  8. transfer the process-interaction model into “Delphi/Tomas” code

  9. carry out the experimental plan

  10. interpret and report results

Computer use:

Use of discrete simulation software

Laboratory project(s):

The modelling and implementation of a test case and experimenting with the model

Design content:

The modelling of a system has a  major design component

Percentage of design:  50%