The paper presents the current results of the research and development of computer
aided tools that support the systematic layout design of manufacturing systems developed
in the framework of the research project COPERNICO. Two types of layout configurators
have been developed: the 3D configurators that support the rapid creation of the 3D
models of manufacturing systems, and the DES configurators that support the rapid
creation of the discrete event simulation models of manufacturing systems. The configurators
create the layout of the manufacturing systems based on the selection of appropriate
layout templates that are defined by the species identified with a cladistic classification
system. Based on the selected layout templates the particular layouts can be configured,
and the appropriate elements of the manufacturing systems are selected from a predefined
component library.
