FlexSim User Manual - V2018.0.0
Table of Contents -
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Introduction
Welcome to FlexSim
Quick Start
Activating Your License
Customer Support
Training Classes
Tutorials
Introduction to Tutorials
FlexSim Basics Tutorials
FlexSim Basics Tutorial Overview
1.1 - Build a 3D Model
1.2 - Get Data from the 3D Model
1.3 - Build a Process Flow Model
1.4 - Link the Models
Comprehensive FlexSim Tutorials
Tutorial 1 - Plan Your Simulation Project
Tutorial 1 Overview
Task 1.1 - Plan Your Model and Gather Data
Task 1.2 - Create a Flowchart
Tutorial 2 - Build a 3D Layout of Your Facility
Tutorial 2 Overview
Task 2.1 - Import a Floor Plan
Task 2.2 - Add 3D Objects to a Model
Tutorial 3 - Create the Model's Logic
Tutorial 3 Overview
Tutorial 3.1 - Add Activities to Your Flowchart
Tutorial 3.2 - Gather Additional Data
Tutorial 3.3 - Edit Activity Properties
Tutorial 3.4 - Run, Test, and Troubleshoot the Model
Tutorial 4 - Using Charts to Gather Data
Tutorial 4 Overview
Task 4.1 - Identify the Data You Need
Task 4.2 - Create a Dashboard and Add Charts
Task 4.3 - Analyze the Data
Tutorial 5 - Testing Solutions with the Experimenter
Tutorial 5 Overview
Tutorial 6 - Creating Schedules and Times Tables
Tutorial 6 Overview
Tutorial 7 - Presenting a Model to Stakeholders
Tutorial 7 Overview
Process Flow Tutorials
Tutorial 1 - Using Shared Assets
Tutorial 1 Overview
1.1 - Use a List and a Resource
1.2 - Make a Resource Act Like a List
1.3 - Add a Zone to Collect Data
Tutorial 2 - Task Sequences
Tutorial 2 Overview
2.1 - Build a Basic Task Sequence
2.2 - Customize the Task Sequence
Tutorial 3 - Sub Process Flows
Tutorial 3 Overview
3.1 - Build a Basic Sub Flow
3.2 - Add Multiple Finish Activities
Tutorial 4 - Process Flow Instances
Tutorial 4 Overview
4.1 - Build the 3D Model and Process Flow
4.2 - Create Clones Using Copy and Paste
4.3 - Create Clones Using Instances
4.4 - Change Instances Simultaneously
Tutorial 5 - Creating Logic for Custom Objects
Tutorial 5 Overview
5.1 - Create a Custom Fixed Resource
5.2 - Create a Custom Task Executer
People-Based Models Tutorial
People-Based Models Tutorial Overview
1.1 - Build a Waiting Area
1.2 - Add Triage and Exam Phases
1.3 - Add a Custom Location Object
1.4 - Add Transport and Equipment Objects
Additional Tools Tutorials
Tutorial 1 - Conveyors
Tutorial 1 Overview
1.1 - Sorting Systems
1.2 - Merging and Gapping Systems
1.3 - Adding and Removing Gaps
1.4 - Power and Free Systems
Tutorial 2 - Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
Tutorial 2 Overview
2.1 - Build a Basic AGV Model
2.2 - Customize the AGV Model
Tutorial 3 - The Statistics Collector
Tutorial 3 Overview
3.1 - Build a Basic Statistics Collector
3.2 - Get Data from Multiple Objects
3.3 - Create and Track Custom Statistics
The FlexSim User Interface
Overview of the FlexSim User Interface
Creating a New Simulation Model
Using the Toolbox
Running Simulations
Changing the Model View
Arranging Windows and Tabs
Keyboard Shortcuts
Simulation Best Practices
Introduction to Simulations
Before Building Your Model
Identify Your Project Goals and Scope
Current State vs. Future State Models
Determine Your Key Metrics
Data Gathering Strategies
While Building Your Model
Using Containers as a Model Management Tool
Building a Basic Flowchart of Your System's Logic
Using 3D Objects
Reasons to Use 3D Objects
Types of 3D Objects
Overview of 3D Library Objects
Importing CAD Drawings and Floor Plans
Working With 3D Objects
Adding 3D Objects to a Model
Selecting 3D Objects
Editing 3D Object Properties
Moving, Rotating, Resizing 3D Objects
Copying and Pasting Objects and Properties
Working With Flow Items
Key Concepts About Flow Items
Using the Flow Item Bin
Using Container Flow Items
Working With Visual Objects
Using Visual Objects
Creating Model Layouts
Creating Custom Objects and Animations
Creating and Importing Custom 3D Objects
Creating Custom Object Libraries
Creating Custom Flow Items
Creating Custom Animations
Connecting 3D Object Flows
Overview of 3D Object Flows
Ports
Key Concepts About Ports
Adding and Removing Ports
Creating Port Logic
Lists
Key Concepts About Lists
Working With Lists
Introduction to SQL Queries for Lists
Conveyors
Key Concepts About Conveyors
Overview of Conveyor Objects
Working With Conveyor Objects
Working With Transfer Objects
Creating Conveyor Logic
Building the Model's Logic
Introduction to Model Logic
Events, States, and Triggers
Key Concepts About Events
Event Listening
Labels
Key Concepts About Labels
Working With Labels
Label Matching
Tracking and Managing Labels
Process Flow Basics
Overview of the Process Flow Interface
Types of Process Flows
Overview of Activities and Shared Assets
Adding and Connecting Activities
Moving, Resizing, Deleting Activities
Editing Activity Properties
Changing Process Flow Visuals
Key Concepts About Shared Assets
Additional Process Flow Concepts
Sub Process Flows
Process Flow Instances
Process Flow Variables
Process Flow Coordination
Process Flow Preemption
Troubleshooting Process Flows
Using the Distribution Chooser
Getting Data from Your Model
Key Concepts About Getting Data
Viewing and Creating Statistics
Viewing Standard Statistics
Using the Statistics Collector
Using the Calculated Table
Analyzing Data
Key Concepts About Dashboards and Charts
Using Dashboards and Charts
Reference
General Model Settings
Model Settings
Global Preferences
Process Flow Properties
View Settings
Tree Properties
3D Objects
Fixed Resources
Fixed Resources Concepts
Source
Queue
Processor
Sink
Combiner
Separator
MultiProcessor
Rack
BasicFR
Task Executers
Task Executer Concepts
Dispatcher
TaskExecuter (Object)
Operator
Transporter
Elevator
Robot
Crane
ASRSvehicle
Basic TE
Travel Networks
Network Node
Traffic Control
Conveyors
Straight and Curved Conveyors
Join Conveyors
Decision Point
Station
Photo Eye
Motor
Merge Controller
Transfers
Entry Transfers
Exit Transfers
AGV
Straight and Curved Paths
Join Paths
Control Point
Control Area
Fluid
Fluid Ticker
Fluid Tank
Fluid Generator
Fluid Terminator
Fluid Mixer
Fluid Blender
Fluid Splitter
Fluid Pipe
Fluid Processor
Item to Fluid
Fluid to Item
Fluid Conveyor
Shared Tabs and Properties
The Flow Tab
The Triggers Tab
The Labels Tab
The General Tab
The Processor and Process Times Tabs
The Breakdowns Tab
The Breaks Tab
The Collision Tab
The Task Executer Tab
The Fluid Level Display Tab
State List
Process Flow Activities and Shared Assets
Token Creation
Inter-Arrival Source
Schedule Source
Date Time Source
Event-Triggered Source
Basic
Assign Labels
Delay
Custom Code
Decide
Batch
Wait for Event
Create Tokens
Sink
Sub Flow
Run Sub Flow
Start
Finish
Visual
Change Visual
Run Animation
Objects
Create Object
Move Object
Destroy Object
Task Sequences
Travel
Load
Unload
Delay
Travel to Loc
Custom Task
Create Task Sequence
Dispatch Task Sequence
Lists
List
Push to List
Pull from List
Resources
Resource
Acquire Resource
Release Resource
Zones
Zone
Enter Zone
Exit Zone
Coordination
Split
Join
Synchronize
Preemption
Save Token Context
Release Token
Restore Token Context
Display
Text
Arrow
Image
Flowchart
Shared Process Flow Properties
Process Flow Statistics
Batch Statistics
People Objects
3D Objects
Location
Staff
Transport
Equipment
MultiLocation
Process Flow Activities
People Sub Flows
Sub Flow Concepts
Create Person
Walk
Escort Person
Transport Person
Move Equipment
People Resource Activities
People Resource Activities
Acquire Location
Acquire Staff
Acquire Transport
Acquire Equipment
Release Location
Release Staff
Release Transport
Release Equipment
Task Sequences
Task Sequence Concepts
Task Types - Quick Reference
Task Sequence Types
Querying Task Sequences
Tools
AGV Network
AStar
Calculated Table
Code Editor
Conveyor System Tool
Conveyor System
Conveyor Types
Decision Point Types
Photo Eye Types
Station Types
Transfer Types
Entry Transfer Types
Exit Transfer Types
Edit Selected Objects Tool
Event List
Event Log
Excel Interface
Experimenter and Optimizer
Find Objects Tool
FlexScript Code Profile Tool
Global Lists
Functional Reference
The Fields Tab
The Back Orders Tab
The General Tab
Entry Viewer
Back Order Viewer
Global Tables
Global Variables
Groups
Measure and Convert Tool
Model Triggers
MTBF/MTTR
Presentation Builder
Process Flow Variables
Script Console
Simulation Control Bar
Statistics Collector
Time Tables
Tracked Variables
User Commands
User Events
Video Recorder
Visio Importer
Legacy Tools
Legacy Dashboard Graphs
Legacy Reports and Statistics
Legacy Process Flow Chart Properties
Dashboard
Charts
Time Plot
Histogram
Gantt Chart
Pie Chart
Bar Chart
Table Chart
Financial Chart
Date and Time Display
Model Documentation
Chart Templates
Chart Templates
WIP Templates
WIP Table
WIP Bar
WIP vs Time
Average WIP Table
Average WIP Bar
Composite WIP Table
Composite WIP Bar
Composite WIP vs Time
WIP by Type Table
WIP by Type Bar
WIP by Type vs Time
Throughput Templates
Throughput Table
Throughput Bar
Throughput per Hour Table
Throughput per Hour Bar
Throughput per Hour vs Time
Composite Throughput Table
Composite Throughput Bar
Composite Throughput per Hour Table
Composite Throughput per Hour Bar
Composite Throughput per Hour vs Time
Throughput by Type Table
Throughput by Type Bar
Throughput per Hour by Type Table
Throughput per Hour by Type Bar
Throughput per Hour by Type vs Time
Staytime Templates
Staytime Table
Staytime Bar
Staytime Per Hour
Staytime vs Time
Staytime Histogram
Composite Staytime Table
Composite Staytime Bar
Composite Staytime per Hour vs Time
Composite Staytime vs Time
Composite Staytime Histogram
Staytime by Type Table
Staytime by Type Bar
Staytime per Hour by Type vs Time
Staytime by Type vs Time
Staytime By Type Histogram
Item Trace Gantt
State Templates
State Pie
State Bar
Composite State Pie
Composite State Bar
State Gantt
Zone Templates
Zone Statistics Table
Zone Statistics Bar
Zone Statistics vs Time
Zone Partition Statistics Table
Zone Partition Statistics Bar
Zone Partition Statistics vs Time
Widgets
Coding in FlexSim
Writing Logic in FlexSim
Basic Modeling Functions
Debugging
FlexScript Class Reference
Command Reference
Alphabetical Index
Alphabetical Reference
Categorical Index
Categorical Reference
Developer and Advanced User Reference
Release Notes and History
Custom Libraries
GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces)
Key Concepts About GUIs
GUI Events Reference
GUI View Attributes Reference
Additional View Attributes Reference
Advanced Undo
Kinematics
SQL Queries
Webserver
XML in FlexSim