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Manufacturing & Supply-Chain

Production-line layout, assembly systems, inventory/warehouse flows

29 articles

News

Autodesk Fusion September 2026: Modern Results for Modal and Buckling, MPBF Process Simulation API, and Expanded Automation

Autodesk's September 2026 major update for Fusion extends the Modern Results post-processing experience to Modal Frequencies and Structural Buckling studies, graduates the Metal Powder Bed Fusion (MPBF) process simulation API from preview, and broadens automation coverage across process simulation, drawings, and construction geometry. The release also introduces a TypeScript API for strongly-typed add-in development and a new end-to-end sample project connecting injection molding simulation with mechanical and electronics workflows.

By Jeff 118 views
News

BETA CAE Suite 2026.1: GPU-Accelerated FCX Solver, Hexa Fit Meshing, and Agentic AI Across the CAE Workflow

Cadence BETA CAE Systems has released version 2026.1 of its simulation suite, introducing the GPU-based Fast Concept Solver (FCX) for real-time structural analysis, the Hexa Fit algorithm for automated pure hexahedral mesh generation, and Agentic AI capabilities embedded across ANSA, META, EPILYSIS, and FATIQ. The release also delivers up to 5× GPU speedup in EPILYSIS and a new Optimal Workspace for multidisciplinary optimization.

By Jeff 319 views
News

Moldex3D 2026: Hot Runner Speed Gains, AI-Driven Defect Prediction, and Advanced IC Packaging Simulation

CoreTech System has released Moldex3D 2026, delivering a 4x or greater speed improvement for multi-cavity hot runner analysis, a fully upgraded crystallization solver using the Dual Nakamura Model, and new Hybrid Zone and EBG technologies that cut semiconductor packaging simulation times by up to 15x. The release also deepens AI integration through the iSLM Discovery series, AI Chat diagnostics, and an expanded Moldibot with 'Deep Thinking' capabilities.

By Jeff 231 views
News

Siemens Simcenter Summer 2026: PhysicsAI Generate, Unified Altair Portfolio, and Meshless Structural Simulation

Siemens has released its Summer 2026 Simcenter update, unifying Siemens and Altair simulation technologies for the first time while introducing Simcenter PhysicsAI Generate — a physics-aware generative AI engine — and expanding geometric deep learning across STAR-CCM+, Inspire, and HyperMesh. The release also integrates Simcenter Simsolid with Designcenter for meshless structural analysis and strengthens multiphysics workflows for electric powertrain development.

By Jeff 720 views
Article

WITNESS Horizon: Discrete-Event Simulation for Lean Manufacturing Line Balancing

WITNESS Horizon by Lanner Group enables engineers to build high-fidelity discrete-event simulation models of manufacturing lines, capturing stochastic variability in cycle times, machine failures, and operator behavior. This article demonstrates how to use WITNESS Horizon's Experimenter module and utilization heat maps to identify true bottlenecks and optimize line balance.

By Jeff 213 views
News

Visual Components 5.1: 10x Faster AMR Simulation, PhysX 5.5 Physics, and Allen-Bradley PLC Connectivity

Visual Components 5.1 delivers a complete rebuild of its mobile robot navigation stack, enabling hundreds of AMRs and AGVs to run simultaneously with up to 10x faster performance. The release also upgrades the physics engine to PhysX 5.5 for more reliable material flow simulation and adds Allen-Bradley PLC connectivity alongside new virtual commissioning plugins for Nachi and Epson robots.

By Jeff 341 views
News

SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026: Fill Thin Slot, Angular Displacement Plots, and Pin Connector Force Extraction

SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2026 delivers targeted enhancements across structural, thermal, vibration, and plastics analysis workflows. Key additions include the Fill Thin Slot feature for accurate heat transfer modeling in compact assemblies, angular displacement plotting in degrees or radians, pin connector force extraction in random vibration studies, and a 30% speed boost for injection molding simulations.

By Jeff 221 views
Article

FlexSim's Input Analyzer: Fitting Statistical Distributions to Real-World Manufacturing Data

FlexSim's Input Analyzer provides a rigorous, integrated workflow for fitting theoretical statistical distributions—lognormal, Weibull, gamma, and more—to empirical shop-floor data, replacing guesswork with statistically defensible process-time parameters. This article walks through data collection, automated distribution fitting, goodness-of-fit interpretation, and practical application to process times and failure modeling in manufacturing simulation models.

By Jeff 348 views
Article

FlexSim's Input Analyzer: Fitting Statistical Distributions to Real-World Manufacturing Data

FlexSim's Input Analyzer provides a rigorous, integrated workflow for fitting theoretical statistical distributions—lognormal, Weibull, gamma, and more—to empirical shop-floor data, replacing guesswork with statistically defensible process-time parameters. This article walks through data collection, automated distribution fitting, goodness-of-fit interpretation, and practical application to process times and failure modeling in manufacturing simulation models.

By Jeff 248 views
News

SimScale Launches Engineering AI Agents and Open Workflows Platform for Autonomous Simulation Orchestration

SimScale has opened its Engineering AI agents to all enterprise teams and launched SimScale Workflows, an open platform architecture enabling any solver or custom method to be integrated natively. Together, these releases enable fully autonomous, end-to-end simulation pipelines where AI agents manage the entire engineering process — from CAD preparation to validated reporting — without human handoffs.

By Jeff 1560 views
Article

Lean Waste Identification with Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation: Value Stream Mapping and Muda Analysis

Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation transforms static value stream mapping into a stochastic, dynamic analysis environment, enabling manufacturing engineers to quantify all seven lean wastes under realistic process variability. This article walks through model construction, waste measurement techniques, and the Experiment Manager workflow for comparing lean improvement scenarios—buffer right-sizing, workstation rebalancing, and kanban pull—before any physical changes are made.

By Jeff 307 views
Article

Inventory Policy Optimization in AnyLogic: Simulating (s, S) and (r, Q) Replenishment Strategies

AnyLogic's multi-method simulation environment enables supply chain engineers to rigorously compare and tune (s, S) and (r, Q) inventory replenishment policies using stochastic demand models and built-in optimization. This article walks through model construction, experiment design, and result interpretation to help practitioners move beyond static EOQ formulas toward data-driven inventory decisions.

By Jeff 319 views