The SCDA job shop simulator 1.1 is a desktop-based application that runs on Windows machines. The simulator runs without any installations and is directly executable. It serves as routing simulator and lead-time forecaster in parts processing. E.g. parts processing in a machine job.
The simulator can be configured via three simple Excel files, namely the
- parts list
- resource list
- routings list
In addition, custom parts and resource icons can be placed and referenced, for custom parts and resource visualization in a 2D simulation model animation – illustrating the layout and shop activity.
The simulator generates utilization, throughput, queue time, and lead time data
The SCDA job shop simulator can generate the following insights and statistics:
- Work center and work area utilization
- Throughput by work center, work area, and parts family
- Queue time per work center, work area, parts family, and part
- Lead time per parts family and part
The simulator provides a core output data set from which a broad range of key performance metrics can be derived. In detail, the core output data includes the following data points in a single table of time stamps (the “schedule.xlsx” report file):
- part: Ongoing numbering of parts in same route
- route: Name of the route, as per routings list
- machine_group: Machine group for which time stamp was made
- machine: Machine for which time stamp was made
- t_stagestart: Time at which part arrived at machine buffer
- t_procstart: Time at which machine started to process part
- t_stageend: Time at which machine completed processing the part
Current version 1.1 supports most important machine shop simulator features
From a modeling point of view, the SCDA job shop simulator version 1.1 supports the following modeling features:
- Dynamic demand modeling
- Machine capacity modeling
- Parts routing by parts family (product family)
- Work queue in parts processing
- 2D factory layout visualization
In other words, the SCDA job shop simulator 1.1 allows users to setup a list of machines and parts. Instances parts, representing jobs, are generated with random intervals as per settings in a parts list (dynamic demand modeling). Parts are assigned to a routing, which represents a parts family and a routing family. The routings are defined in a routing table and define the machine sequence needed,
and the processing time at each machine.
Future version upgrades will provide additional features
The SCDA job shop simulator is updated continuously. Upcoming features include:
- Flexible simulation speed adjustment by user
- Custom simulation window width and height (current standard is 1200 px width, 800 px height)
- Machine failure behavior modeling (MTBF and MTTR)
- Maintenance schedules
- Scrap behavior
- Raw material inventory management (MRP)
- Parts assembly
- 3D animation
Purchase the SCDA job shop simulator in the SCDA shop, and get a discount on future version upgrades
The SCDA job shop simulator can be purchased and downloaded in the SCDA shop via below link. The purchase will give you access to version 1.1. If you purchase version 1.1 before later versions are published, you will get the price paid for v1.1 deducted from future version purchases, plus an additional 40% discount.
As an outlook for final target state for the SCDA job shop simulator you can check below video, showing a 3D version of the same model. This 3D version is not yet available but will be provided in a future version upgrade.

Data scientist focusing on simulation, optimization and modeling in R, SQL, VBA and Python
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