The aim of this project has been to develop a new method that can be used for optimising the sequences of operations in flexible manufacturing cells. The method combines existing methods and available software tools from three research areas, optimisation, flexibility and virtual manufacturing. This method is named SIMBOSeer and it combines genetic algorithms in discrete event simulation together with continuous robot simulation. SIMBOSeer has been implemented at an existing workcell at Volvo Powertrain, Skövde, and it has successfully shown to be able to find possible improvements of the sequences of operations. SIMBOSeer has shown to be a successful combination of different virtual manufacturing tools. It has a great ability to find an optimal solution of the sequence of operations in a flexible manufacturing cell. SIMBOSeer not only gives a fast answer on how to produce different variants it also offers the possibility to generate the robot code automatically.

<p> </p><p>The aim of this project has been to develop a new method that can be used for optimising the sequences of operations in flexible manufacturing cells. The method combines existing methods and available software tools from three research areas, optimisation, flexibility and virtual manufacturing. This method is named SIMBOSeer and it combines genetic algorithms in discrete event simulation together with continuous robot simulation. SIMBOSeer has been implemented at an existing workcell at Volvo Powertrain, Skövde, and it has successfully shown to be able to find possible improvements of the sequences of operations. SIMBOSeer has shown to be a successful combination of different virtual manufacturing tools. It has a great ability to find an optimal solution of the sequence of operations in a flexible manufacturing cell. SIMBOSeer not only gives a fast answer on how to produce different variants it also offers the possibility to generate the robot code automatically.</p>