Development of a cloud-based factory simulation system for enabling ubiquitous factory simulation

This study investigated several problems related to the implementation of cloud-based factory simulation. First, the differences between cloud-based factory simulation and parallel and distributed factory simulation were discussed. Individually managed, resource heterogeneity, uneven load partitioning, and potential business opportunities were found to be the novel characteristics that discriminate cloud-based factory simulation from parallel and distributed factory simulation. The problems in existing cloud-based factory simulation systems are discussed. An experimental cloud-based factory simulation system was developed and used for simulating a mobile lift table factory.