High level architecture (HLA) based distributed manufacturing simulation

Manufacturing is one of the areas where simulation is used more widely as a decision making tool. But traditional simulation techniques are not capable to simulate complex manufacturing systems. Since manufacturing processes became more complex and mostly performed in distributed environments, distributed manufacturing simulation models are needed. So, a common framework is required to integrate and exchange information of different manufacturing simulation models. The framework should have the capability of reusability and interoperability since simulation models could be modeled at different environments with different application programming languages. HLA can meet all of the requirements mentioned above. HLA was developed by American Department of Defense (DoD) since 1995 for military simulations, and after it was accepted as an IEEE standart (No:1516) in year 2000, HLA is being used not only for military simulations but also for civil applications.In this study HLA based distributed manufacturing simulation is examined. The benefits of distributed manufacturing simulation, reasons why HLA is used in manufacturing, what sould be done in order to develop HLA based distributed manufacturing simulation is explained in the study. It will also be put forward how HLA is implemented practically in distributed manufacturing simulation through a given scenario.