ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a basic introduction to simulation as a tool for analyzing manufacturing systems. Simulation is a commonly used tool for studying various aspects of existing and proposed systems. Simulation models can be important as a communication tool, as their results are often more readily understandable than other quantitative tools. The chapter presents a step-by-step introduction to building, verifying, and validating simulation models, as an aid in developing and convincingly communicating quantitative solutions to real-world problems. Simulation may be used when an analytical model of the system of interest is too complex; thus, simulation allows for modeling of very complicated systems. Simulation may be applied to a number of different systems in various environments, including manufacturing, transportation, and public service. General-purpose computer languages represent the lowest-level simulation tool, since most functions and all coding must be specifically input by the modeler.
