Flexible integration of VR-based tools and simulation applications for the planning and optimization of factories and manufacturing processes

This chapter presents a new and innovative concept in the area of continuously integrated and collaborative factory planning. It presents the conceived and developed loosely coupled architecture in detail. The supporting virtual reality- and simulation-based tools are explained with a view to the planning workflow and the data change propagation. The implemented validation scenario gives a realistic representation of the planning workflow for factory layout optimization. It considers the static factory layout model and the dynamic material flow behaviour of the factory. The developed standardized data exchange format for the planning tools along the planning workflow is briefly described.