Scribd
Upload
315 views

A Virtual Reality in Flexsim

Flexsim is a discrete-event simulation software that can be used to model service systems, manufacturing systems, and logistics systems. It allows modeling of entities, attributes, activities, events, and state variables. The document provides an example of using Flexsim to model and improve the output of a manufacturing system by adding a queue between processes to allow upstream processes to continue running even when the downstream inspection process is blocked. The initial model resulted in 4% blockage and average daily output of 2427 units, while the improved model with a queue had 0% blockage and higher average daily output of 2510 units.

Uploaded by

Timothae Zacharyy
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
315 views

A Virtual Reality in Flexsim

Flexsim is a discrete-event simulation software that can be used to model service systems, manufacturing systems, and logistics systems. It allows modeling of entities, attributes, activities, events, and state variables. The document provides an example of using Flexsim to model and improve the output of a manufacturing system by adding a queue between processes to allow upstream processes to continue running even when the downstream inspection process is blocked. The initial model resulted in 4% blockage and average daily output of 2427 units, while the improved model with a queue had 0% blockage and higher average daily output of 2510 units.

Uploaded by

Timothae Zacharyy
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Introduction to Flexsim Simulation

 Flexsim is classified as a discrete-event


simulation software program.

 Flexsim is a versatile tool that may be


used to model a variety of operational
scenarios.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Applications of Flexsim
 Three basic categories of problems
which can be solved with Flexsim:
 Service problems – the need to process customers and
their requests at the highest level of satisfaction for the
lowest possible cost.
 Manufacturing problems – the need to make the right
product at the right time for the lowest possible cost.
 Logistics problems – the need to get the right product
to the right place at the right time for the lowest
possible cost.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Examples of Systems and Components

System Entities Attributes Activities Events State


Variables

Banking Customers Account Making Arrival; # of busy


balance deposits Departure tellers; # of
customers
waiting

Note: State Variables may change continuously (continuous system)


over time or they may change only at a discrete set of points
(discrete system) in time.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


OM Initial Plan
output = 2427

Blocked = 4%

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Analysis of Initial Plan
 Incoming finished goods are blocked occasionally
~ 4%. Average output per hour is ~ 346; total
output in a day is ~ 2426.

 Bottleneck process of initial plan is actually the


inspection step, i.e. the human operator. The
occasional blockage at “source” might cause the
upstream processes to be stopped and human
intervention might be needed to restart the
processes.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Improved Plan
output = 2510

Blocked = 0%

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Analysis of Improved Plan
 0% of incoming finished goods are blocked;
 Average output per hour is ~ 358;
 Total output in a day is ~ 2510.
 The “queue” will allow finished products to build
up while still allowing upstream processes to flow.
Buffer size of queue can be estimated from
“Maxcontent” of the queue.
 May deploy more than one operator at the
inspection step or do sampling check.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Conclusion
 Simulation can be used in many applications. It
gives us greater insight into a problem to help us
make more informed decision.
 It is especially useful if analytical and
experimental approaches are not suitable.
 In today’s problem, it may be difficult to calculate
queue performances for a multi-stage queuing
system.
 Use of simulation in today’s problem can provide
realistic visualization and allows for distribution of
results to be computed.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II


Learning Objectives

 Understand how to use Flexsim to model


simple real life queuing scenario.
 Understand how to link objects in Flexsim to
represent flow of items.
 Understand how to input properties of objects
in Flexsim in accordance with their statistical
properties.
 Able to make sense of simulation results and
make recommendations.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING E211 – OPERATIONS PLANNING II

You might also like