1. Chapter 7 Entity Transfer
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Chapter 7 Entity Transfer
Dr. Jason Merrick
Last update August 20, 1998

2. What We’ll Do ... Types of Entity Transfers
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
What We’ll Do ...
Types of Entity Transfers
Resource-Constrained Transfers
Transporters (Model 7.1)
Conveyors
Non-accumulating (Model 7.2)
Accumulating (Model 7.3)
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

3. Types of Entity Transfers
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Types of Entity Transfers
Connect
Zero-delay
Connection graphic vs. module Labels (no graphic)
Route
Non-zero-delay — constant, r.v., expression
Stations, animated Routes
Fixed routes vs. entity-dependent Sequences
Connect and Route both assume:
No limit on number in transit at a time
Entities have their own feet
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

4. Resource-Constrained Transfers
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Resource-Constrained Transfers
Limit total number of entities in transit at a time
Telecommunications (number of packets)
Logistics (number of vehicles)
Entities still have their own feet
Model via existing constructs — think creatively
Model “space” on the “road” as a Resource
Limit number of Units of this Resource
Entity must Seize unit of “space” resource before beginning trip, Release it at end of trip
The “space” resource must be defined via a Resources module if > 1 unit is required
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

5. Resource-Constrained Transfers (cont’d.)
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Resource-Constrained Transfers (cont’d.)
Leave Data area of many logic modules
Tran Out… button
Seize a unit of the “space” resource
Priority (1 is highest, …)
If no units are free, entity must stay where it is
Option for Load Time
Enter Data area of many logic modules
Tran In… button
Release the unit of the “space” resource
Option for Unload Time
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

6. Transporter Concepts Carts, fork lifts, trucks, wheelchairs, people, …
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Transporter Concepts
Carts, fork lifts, trucks, wheelchairs, people, …
When entity is ready to go somewhere, it needs to be “picked up” and moved
Use Transporters — “moveable” resources
Activities: Request, Transport, and Free
Two types of Transporters
Free-Path (we’ll do)
Travel time depends only on velocity, distance
Ignore “traffic jams” and their resulting delays
Guided (won’t do)
AGVs, intersections, etc.
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

7. Creating Transporters
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Creating Transporters
Transporter data module (Transfer panel)
Transporter name (Cart in our model)
Number of Units (2)
Free Path vs. Guided (accept Free Path default)
Distance Set (accept default name Cart_Dst)
Velocity (50 feet/min.)
Initial Position (accept Arbitrary default)
Options ... When Freed ... (Remain Where Freed)
Can have Schedules, Failures, Statistics
Picture for animation, including Ride Point
Consistency of time and
distance units across model
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

8. Requesting a Transporter
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Requesting a Transporter
Entity is done at a station, wants to move on
Leave Data area, Tran Out… button
Transfer Type: Request
Transporter name (Cart)
Rule (Smallest Distance)
Applies when > 1 transporter is available
Other options include Cyclical, Preferred Order, Random
Priority of this request (1)
Applies when demand for transporters exceeds supply
Load Time (0.25 min.)
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

9. Entity Animation During the Transporter Request Process
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Entity Animation During the Transporter Request Process
Use an Arena Storage (similar to a queue)
Place to store entity to make it show in animation
Get at via animate subdialog in most logic modules
Leave for Next Station area
Select Storage radio button
Storage name (accept default)
Check Unstore box to decrement Storage statistics
Produces animation object that looks like an animated queue, except for default color (green)
Can edit the storage animation just like a queue
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

10. Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Freeing a Transporter
Entity has arrived at its next station on a Transporter
Enter Data area of this station, Tran In… button
Select Free Transporter radio button
Arena keeps track of which one, unit number
Unload Time (0.25 min.)
Transporter is now available, will position itself according to Options ... When Freed … in Transporter data module
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

11. Distances for Transporters
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Distances for Transporters
Define contents of the Distance Set Cart_Dst
Distances (in feet) moved by parts:
Blank cells: part movements that don’t occur
Place 11 Distance modules (Transfer panel)
Beginning, Ending Stations
Member of what Distance Set?
Numerical Distance
Direction is implied — need not be symmetric
Units!!
Units!!
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

12. Animating Transporter Movement
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Animating Transporter Movement
Part of Distance module
Beginning, Ending stations
First, move module handle to appropriate physical location (organize Distance modules — maybe many)
Then, drag animation (stations, line) where they belong
Dragging module handle also moves animation
Use Shift+Drag on handle to leave animation where it is
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

13. Animating Transporter Movement (cont’d.)
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Animating Transporter Movement (cont’d.)
Line characteristics — double-click on line
# Points — then drag to correct animation position
Maybe Rotate/Flip entity as it moves, line Colors
Parking Areas for Transporters
Double-click on double circle, Points…, Add, …
Like a queue — Points vs. Line, Color, Rotate, Flip
Drag around for realistic positioning
There could be many animation stations for a single logical station, but you should have only one parking area per Station (delete others)
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

14. More Distances — Empty Transporters
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
More Distances — Empty Transporters
Above Distances incomplete — only for entities
Transporters must also move when empty
In general, n(n - 1) distances need definition for network with n nodes
Some not possible — Order Release to Exit System
Additional distances to define (grayed):
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

15. System Improvement (?): Replace Transporters with Conveyor
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
System Improvement (?): Replace Transporters with Conveyor
Replace Transporters with a conveyor
Loop conveyor to follow main path, clockwise
Six entrance/exit points
Load, Unload takes 0.25 minute
Each part is 4 feet per side, but want 6 feet of conveyor space for clearance on corners
Speed = 20 feet/minute
Distances:
Units!!
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

16. Conveyor Concepts Entity to be conveyed must wait for space
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Conveyor Concepts
Entity to be conveyed must wait for space
Conveyor consists of cells
Equal size, constantly moving
Entities might require multiple contiguous cells
Must define cell size; tradeoff involved:
Small cells: accurate model but slow execution
Large cells: less accurate but faster
Entities Access space, Convey, and Exit
Conveyor = series of linear Segments
Each segment starts and ends with a Station
Link to form loops, diverge points, converge points
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

17. Types of Conveyors Both travel in a single, irreversible direction
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Types of Conveyors
Both travel in a single, irreversible direction
Nonaccumulating: belt, bucket line, escalator
Spacing between entities on it doesn’t change
Entire conveyor stops for entity Access/Exit if Load/Unload time is > 0
Accumulating: rollers, freeway
Conveyor never stops moving
If entity on it stops to Exit, other entities behind it are blocked and bunch up (entities ahead of it keep moving)
When blockage ends, blocked entities go on but maybe not all at once (spacing requirements)
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

18. Change Transporters to Non-Accum. Conveyors (Model 7.2)
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Change Transporters to Non-Accum. Conveyors (Model 7.2)
Modify Transporter model (Model 7.1)
Define Variables Load Time, Unload Time
Delete Transporter module
Add Conveyor module (Transfer panel)
Name, Segment Set (define Segments later)
Velocity, Cell Size definitions
Initial status: Active
Max Cells Occupied (for “biggest” possible entity)
Type: Nonaccumulating
Entity Size: Cell Size
Conveyor statistics (check box)
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

19. Change Transporters to Non-Accum. Conveyors (Model 7.2) (cont’d.)
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Change Transporters to Non-Accum. Conveyors (Model 7.2) (cont’d.)
Every Tran Out: change Request to Access
Conveyor = Loop Conveyor
# of Cells to Access = 2
Load Time = Load Time (Variable name)
Every Tran In: change Free Transporter to Exit Conveyor
Unload Time = Unload Time (Variable name)
Replace Distances with Segments (need 6)
Beginning, Ending Stations, Segment Set Name
Define distances for simulation
Units = actual length (in feet), not number of cells
Place lines for animation
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

20. Digression: Manual Change of Variable Values During Run
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Digression: Manual Change of Variable Values During Run
Increase Load Time and Unload Time to 2 during run (see effect on conveyor stopping)
Pause the run:
Suppose you do this at time TNOW =
Use Run Controller: Run/Command menu option or
>ASSIGN Load Time = 2
>ASSIGN Unload Time = 2
Resume the run: Close Controller window;
OK for demos; questionable for “real” runs
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis

21. Change Conveyors to Accumulating Type (Model 7.3)
Simulation with Arena — Chapter 7 Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis
4/22/2017
Change Conveyors to Accumulating Type (Model 7.3)
Modify Model 7.2 (with non-accumulating conveyors)
Conveyor module
Change Type to Accumulating
Specify Entity Size to 4 to allow entities to bunch up closer than the 6 feet needed for an entity
When a blockage is removed, entities will automatically re-space themselves to consume 6 feet each
Verify effect by increasing Load/Unload times
Simulation with Arena — Entity Transfer and Steady-State Statistical Analysis