Discrete-Event-Simulation Open-Source tools assessment for Digital Twin in manufacturing systems

This paper aims to present an analysis and assessment of the different options currently accessible for assisting the creation and execution of a Digital Twin (DT) that relies on a discrete event simulator. Discrete-event simulation (DES) is widely recognized for its industry standards such as Anylogic, Arena, Flexsim, Software Plant Simulation. However, especially in the context of Industry 4.0, it becomes crucial to have business systems that can be easily integrated and adapted with pre existing systems and technologies, to guarantee a flexible and dynamic approach to handle innovations. As a result, the industry is shifting towards the use of open-source software for discrete-event modeling. Some examples of simulation libraries are SimPy, Ciw, and Salabim for Python, Simmer for R, and ConcurrentSim for Julia. The methodology for evaluating these tools, regardless of whether they are open or closed source, will involve conducting literature reviews and analyzing additional sources, such as GitHub and GitLab. This approach is necessary because descriptions of the utilization of open-source software may not always be readily available in academic papers. The purpose of this study is to identify metrics that can indicate the most relevant open-source tools in today's landscape and compare them to the most well-known and widely used industrial software. The study will critically evaluate the proposed metrics in order to highlight the key characteristics of a DES tool based on the needs of a company seeking a DT solution.