An architecture for a generic data-driven machine shop simulator

Standard interfaces could help reduce the costs associated with simulation model construction and data exchange between simulation and other software applications -- and thus make simulation technology more Affordable and accessible to a wide range of potential industrial users. Currently, small machine shops do not typically use simulation technology because of various difficulties and obstacles associated with model development and data translation. This paper provides an overview of work currently underway at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a software architecture, standard data interfaces, and a prototype generic machine shop simulator that can be readily, reconfigured for use by a large number of small machine shops. It also reviews prior work in this area and describes future work.