1. FlexSim Supplemental Training part of the FlexSim Education Initiative:
Textbook: Applied Simulation, modeling and Analysis using FlexSim
Educator support materials
Video insight series
Supplemental training 4 week series
Introduction, In-depth topics
FlexSim application aids (help menu)
User Manual
Getting Started tutorials
FlexSim formal training courses
Basic, Advanced, Specialized

2. Example Model- Overview
Introduction of common modelling concepts
Dynamic routing decisions
Itemtypes
Labels
Statistical Distributions
Object Triggers
Global Tables 2

3. Model Description Purpose Description
Learn how to assign and use labels on flowitems for routing and processing purposes. Learn how to use an empirical distribution to assign itemtypes.
Description
Parts arrive in a queue exponentially every 30 seconds. There are four part types (1,2,3,4) distributed (20%, 30%, 40%, 10%) respectively (see dempirical in Flexsim Command Summary).
The parts are processed on one of four machines. Each machine is dedicated to a single part type. The processing times at each machine is uniform(100,120) seconds for first time parts, and uniform(120,130) seconds for rework parts.
After the parts are machined, they are put in a queue and wait to be tested. The test time is a constant 10 seconds. Parts that pass, leave the model, failed parts are routed back to the first queue to be reworked. 10% of the parts fail.
Parts being reworked are given priority in the queue. 3

4. Model Layout 4

5. Model Flow – From the Source to the Sink
Requirements:
Four part types
Each part type has a dedicated machine
Randomly assign part types
Concepts:
Itemtype Attribute
Send to Port picklist options
Statistical distributions
Object triggers

6. Understanding the Basic Pick List
Option Name
Choose an option
or type an
expression
directly into the field
Edit the selected
option graphically
(template editing)
Edit Code for this
option 6

7. Editing Picklists
Graphical pop-up windows will guide you in editing picklist options. Different options will require different information to use correctly 7

8. Using Distributions What you need to know:
The name of the distribution
The parameters it requires
Check the documentation!
Where to use it!
Example: dempirical(“TableName”)
See the commands help from within Flexsim for more
information

9. Order of Execution (pushed flowitem)
flowitem enters
OnEntry
Setup Time
Pick Operator
Pick Operator
Process Time
OnSetupFinish
delay
delay
OnProcessFinish
Send To Port
possible
delay
OnExit
delay
Use Transport 9

10. Ex. Change Source Arrival
The statistical probability distribution which best simulates the inter-arrival pattern is an exponential distribution with a location value of 0 and a scale value of 30. 10

11. Itemtypes
itemtype – all flowitems have an attribute called itemtype. It’s a numeric identifier used to distinguish one “type” of flowitem from another in processing and routing decisions in a model.
Addressable to the user via getitemtype( flowitem ) 11

12. Concept of Triggers
When key events occur on an object, a trigger is fired.
The user may specify a variety of things to happen when a trigger fires (trigger logic).
There are triggers when a flowitem enters or exits an object. There are triggers when a process time finishes or a repair time is complete.
Each type of object has a unique set of triggers. 12

13. Triggers
Define and customize system behavior at a specific event occurrence.
Write/read information to/from a flowitem.
Change visual properties of flowitems or objects.
Send Messages to other objects.
Change behavior of other objects.
And much more… 13

14. Understanding the Trigger Pick List
Trigger Name
Edit** the options
(template editing)
Edit Code for this
option
**The Edit button shown will take on the “Add” icon When no options are selected for the trigger. 14

15. Editing Triggers
Trigger pop-up windows show all the active options for the trigger
Add or remove options with the appropriate buttons
Individual options can be editing by clicking the hide/collapse triangle
Blue Text can be edited. Tab will jump between fields. Some options have a hint window 15

16. Labels
labels – information can be stored on flowitems (and other modelling objects) in the form of labels.
Flowitems and other Flexsim objects can have an unlimited number of labels.
Labels have a name and data. The data may be numeric, string, list, or table. 16

17. Object Labels syntax examples getlabelnum( item, “serialnumber” )
getlabelnum( object, “labelname” )
setlabelnum( object, “labelname” , value )
getlabelstr( object, “labelname” )
setlabelstr( object, “labelname” , string )
label( object, “labelname” )
examples
getlabelnum( item, “serialnumber” )
setlabelnum( item, “serialnumber”, 5 )
getlabelstr( current, “category” )
setlabelstr( current, “category”, “groceries” )
inc( label(item, “stepnum”), 1 )
The increment command only works with number data 17

18. The Flowitem Bin Sources create copies of objects in the Flowitem Bin
Any changes made to objects in the Bin affect the flowitems that are created by Sources
Used to create labels, set size, color, shape, etc. 18

19. Routing Back to the Queue
Requirement:
10% of all tested parts fail, and are sent back to the first queue awaiting rework.
Concepts:
Send to Port picklist
Object Trigger Events

20. Edit Object Behavior Requirements: Concepts:
Conditional process times based on items needing to be reworked
Prioritize items in the queue that need to be reworked
Concepts:
Labels
Object Trigger Events
Statistical distributions

21. Questions & Bonus Where is the bottleneck?
Can you change the color of failed parts?
Change the model to count how many times a part has failed.
Add a Dashboard to Track throughput per hour of the system.

22. Dashboards
Adds customizable charts and graphs that update in real-time with your model
Many Predesigned charts available
Using the Tracked Variables tool, also allows for the creation of user defined charts 22