USER GUIDE

ISBN: 978-0-9825040-4-8Copyright 2013 by Imagine That Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

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Imagine That Inc.

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The software described in this manual is furnished under a separate license and warranty agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Please note the following:

ExtendSim blocks (including icons, dialogs, and block code) are copyright by Imagine That Inc. and/or its Licensors. ExtendSim blocks contain proprietary and/or trademark in-formation. If you build blocks, and you use all or any portion of the blocks from the BPR, Discrete Event, Flow, Item, Mfg, Rate, or Quick Blocks library in your blocks, or you in-clude those ExtendSim blocks (or any of the code from those blocks) in your libraries, your right to sell, give away, or otherwise distribute your blocks and libraries is limited. In that case, you may only sell, give, or distribute such a block or library if the recipient has a legal license for the ExtendSim product from which you have derived your block(s) or block code. For more information, contact Imagine That Inc.

Imagine That!, the Imagine That logo, ExtendSim, Extend, and ModL are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Imagine That Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Mac OS is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. GarageGames, Inc. is the copyright owner of the Torque Game Engine (TGE), and the copyright for Stat::Fit is owned by Geer Mountain Software. All other product names used in this manual are the trademarks of their respective owners. TGE and Stat::Fit are licensed to Imagine That, Inc. for distribution with ExtendSim. All other ExtendSim products and portions of products are copyright by Imagine That Inc. All right, title and interest, including, without limitation, all copyrights in the Software shall at all times remain the property of Imagine That Inc. or its Licensors.

Extend was created in 1987 by Bob Diamond; it was rebranded as ExtendSim in 2007.

Chief architects for ExtendSim 9:Bob Diamond, Steve Lamperti, Dave Krahl, Anthony Nastasi, Cecile Pieper

Graphics, documentation, and production for ExtendSim 9:Carla Sackett, Pat Diamond, and Kathi Hansen

Imagine That Inc 6830 Via Del Oro, Suite 230 San Jose, CA 95119 USA408.365.0305 fax 408.629.1251 info@extendsim.com

www.extendsim.com

Table of Contents

USER GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT EXTENDSIM

Preface.................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction......................................................................................................... 3Why simulation is important ..................................................................................................4Simulation with ExtendSim ....................................................................................................4What ExtendSim can do .........................................................................................................4

Modeling capabilities ......................................................................................................................4Simulation architecture ...................................................................................................................5

Whats new in this release ........................................................................................................5Levels of use ............................................................................................................................5About this User Guide.............................................................................................................6Additional resources ................................................................................................................7Model illustrations ..................................................................................................................8

TUTORIAL

Running a Model ................................................................................................. 13Opening the Reservoir model..................................................................................................14Model basics............................................................................................................................15

Blocks .............................................................................................................................................15Connections....................................................................................................................................16

Blocks used in the Reservoir model .........................................................................................17Running the Reservoir model..................................................................................................18Displaying the results on the Plotter........................................................................................18Notebooks...............................................................................................................................19Making changes to the model..................................................................................................19

Adding and removing blocks ...........................................................................................................20Changing dialog parameters ............................................................................................................20

Other modifications ................................................................................................................21

Building a Model ................................................................................................. 23Steps to create the Reservoir model .........................................................................................24Opening a new model worksheet ............................................................................................25Setting the simulation parameters............................................................................................25Building the model..................................................................................................................25

Basic steps .......................................................................................................................................25About libraries.................................................................................................................................26Adding blocks to the model.............................................................................................................26Connecting blocks ..........................................................................................................................27

Working with block dialogs.....................................................................................................29Rainfall source.................................................................................................................................30Stream source ..................................................................................................................................31Combining the sources....................................................................................................................31Water in the reservoir ......................................................................................................................31

Displaying the results ......................................................................................................................32Running the simulation ..........................................................................................................33

Additional ways to connect blocks...........................................................................................33

Straight line connection ..................................................................................................................33Multi-segment line connection........................................................................................................33Named connection..........................................................................................................................34

Plotting against multiple axes ..................................................................................................35The final Reservoir model .......................................................................................................36Additional enhancements ........................................................................................................36

Introduction to hierarchy ................................................................................................................36The ExtendSim Navigator...............................................................................................................37

Cloning...................................................................................................................................38Other modifications ................................................................................................................39Next steps................................................................................................................................40

Simulation Concepts ............................................................................................ 41Systems, models, and simulation .............................................................................................42

Systems ...........................................................................................................................................42Models ............................................................................................................................................42Simulation ......................................................................................................................................43

Modeling methodologies .........................................................................................................43Comparison of main modeling methodologies ................................................................................44Comparison table............................................................................................................................45Table of continuous, discrete event, and discrete rate differences .....................................................45

Other modeling approaches ....................................................................................................47Monte Carlo modeling....................................................................................................................47State/Action models ........................................................................................................................49Agent-based models ........................................................................................................................51

The modeling process..............................................................................................................54Goals of modeling...........................................................................................................................54The simulation process....................................................................................................................55Before you build a model ................................................................................................................55Refining models ..............................................................................................................................56Model verification ...........................................................................................................................56Model validation .............................................................................................................................57

Additional modeling terminology............................................................................................57Model parameters, variables, inputs, and outputs ............................................................................57Constant values and random variables.............................................................................................57

CONTINUOUS MODELING

Introduction......................................................................................................... 59How the Continuous module is organized ..............................................................................60Blocks for building continuous models....................................................................................60

Using the ExtendSim blocks............................................................................................................60Building custom continuous blocks.................................................................................................60Third-party libraries ........................................................................................................................61

Application areas .....................................................................................................................61Next steps................................................................................................................................62

Tutorial ................................................................................................................ 63Removing overflow from the Holding Tank ............................................................................64

Setting the maximum capacity ........................................................................................................64Determining if there is too much water...........................................................................................65

Comparing contents to overflow limit ............................................................................................ 66Calculating how much water to remove.......................................................................................... 66

Removing the overflow ................................................................................................................... 67

Simplifying the model .............................................................................................................68Adding an Equation block .............................................................................................................. 68Specifying input variables ............................................................................................................... 69Specifying output variables ............................................................................................................. 69Entering the equation ..................................................................................................................... 69

Improving the accuracy of the model ......................................................................................70Next steps................................................................................................................................71

Areas of Application............................................................................................. 73Scientific .................................................................................................................................74

Predator/Prey.................................................................................................................................. 74Drug Ingestion ............................................................................................................................... 75

Engineering.............................................................................................................................77Noisy FM system............................................................................................................................ 77

Business ..................................................................................................................................78Inventory Management .................................................................................................................. 78

Social sciences .........................................................................................................................79City Planning ................................................................................................................................. 79

Custom blocks ........................................................................................................................81Planet Dance .................................................................................................................................. 81Fish Pond ....................................................................................................................................... 82

Concepts, Tips, and Techniques........................................................................... 83Simulation timing ...................................................................................................................84Delta time ...............................................................................................................................84

Delta times other than 1 ................................................................................................................. 85Determining which dt to use .......................................................................................................... 85Specifying dt or the number of steps............................................................................................... 85

Feedback and delays ................................................................................................................86Feedback......................................................................................................................................... 87Delays in feedback loops................................................................................................................. 87

Integration ..............................................................................................................................87Simulation order .....................................................................................................................88

Flow order ...................................................................................................................................... 88Left to right order ........................................................................................................................... 88Custom order ................................................................................................................................. 88

Mixing block types ..................................................................................................................89Connections to multiple inputs ...............................................................................................89Using plotters as inputs ...........................................................................................................89Using a plot line as reference or standard.................................................................................90Uncluttering models................................................................................................................90

DISCRETE EVENT MODELING

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 91About the Discrete Event module............................................................................................92

How the Discrete Event module is organized.................................................................................. 92What the Introduction to the Discrete Event module covers........................................................... 93

Discrete event systems and processes .......................................................................................93Blocks for building discrete event models ................................................................................94

Item library..................................................................................................................................... 94

Third-party libraries ........................................................................................................................94Creating custom discrete event blocks .............................................................................................94Terminology and architecture..................................................................................................95Overview of a discrete event model .................................................................................................95Layout of a discrete event model .....................................................................................................95Executive block ...............................................................................................................................95Items and informational values........................................................................................................95Item properties................................................................................................................................96Events .............................................................................................................................................96Activities .........................................................................................................................................97Resources ........................................................................................................................................97Connectors......................................................................................................................................97Closed and open systems.................................................................................................................97Types of item handling blocks .........................................................................................................98

Application areas .....................................................................................................................98Next steps................................................................................................................................99

Tutorial ................................................................................................................ 101A basic discrete event model ....................................................................................................102

About the model .............................................................................................................................102Starting a model and setting simulation parameters.........................................................................102Start small .......................................................................................................................................103

Adding complexity ..................................................................................................................105Creating a second wash bay .............................................................................................................105Explicit routing ...............................................................................................................................106Requiring resources .........................................................................................................................107Item attributes.................................................................................................................................108

Further exploration .................................................................................................................110

Items, Properties, and Values ............................................................................... 113Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................114

Item generating and removing.........................................................................................................114Item properties................................................................................................................................114Property-aware blocks .....................................................................................................................115

Item generation .......................................................................................................................115Generating items at random intervals ..............................................................................................115Random intervals with dynamic parameters ....................................................................................116Generating items according to a schedule........................................................................................118

Item properties ........................................................................................................................119Item attributes.................................................................................................................................119Priority............................................................................................................................................126Quantities .......................................................................................................................................128Other item properties......................................................................................................................130

Queueing.............................................................................................................. 131Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................132Queueing disciplines ...............................................................................................................132Queue/server systems ..............................................................................................................133

M/M/1 queues ................................................................................................................................134Priority queues ................................................................................................................................134

Queueing considerations .........................................................................................................135Blocking..........................................................................................................................................135Balking............................................................................................................................................135Reneging .........................................................................................................................................135Jockeying ........................................................................................................................................136

Sorting items using the Queue Equation block........................................................................137How the block works...................................................................................................................... 137

Variables ......................................................................................................................................... 138Ranking rules ................................................................................................................................. 139Least dynamic slack ........................................................................................................................ 139Minimizing setup ........................................................................................................................... 140Maximizing service levels ................................................................................................................ 141Combined rules .............................................................................................................................. 142

Matching items using the Queue Matching block ...................................................................142Queue Matching model.................................................................................................................. 143Other models that use the Queue Matching block.......................................................................... 143

Advanced queue topics ............................................................................................................143Viewing and manipulating queue contents ..................................................................................... 143Initializing a queue ......................................................................................................................... 144

Animating queue contents.......................................................................................................145

Routing................................................................................................................ 147Commonly used blocks ...........................................................................................................148

Blocks that route items ................................................................................................................... 148Blocks that affect the flow of items ................................................................................................. 148

Items from several sources .......................................................................................................149Select Item In dialog ....................................................................................................................... 150Merging several item flows into one stream..................................................................................... 151Balancing multiple input lines ........................................................................................................ 151Throw Item and Catch Item blocks for merging item streams ........................................................ 152

Items going to several paths.....................................................................................................153Select Item Out dialog .................................................................................................................... 154Implicit routing .............................................................................................................................. 156Simple routing................................................................................................................................ 156Scrap generation ............................................................................................................................. 158Sequential ordering......................................................................................................................... 158Explicit ordering............................................................................................................................. 159Routing decisions based on Item properties .................................................................................... 160Conditional routing........................................................................................................................ 162Machines that can only process certain types of items ..................................................................... 166

Processing ............................................................................................................ 169Commonly used blocks ...........................................................................................................170

Systems and processes ..................................................................................................................... 170Processing in series ..................................................................................................................171Processing in parallel ...............................................................................................................172

Parallel processing using one block ................................................................................................. 172Simple parallel connections............................................................................................................. 172

Setting the processing time......................................................................................................173Processing time for an Activity........................................................................................................ 173Processing time for other activity blocks ......................................................................................... 174Fixed processing time...................................................................................................................... 174Scheduled processing time .............................................................................................................. 174Random processing time................................................................................................................. 175Custom processing time.................................................................................................................. 176Implied processing time.................................................................................................................. 177Cumulative processing time: time sharing....................................................................................... 177Adding setup time .......................................................................................................................... 178

Bringing an activity on-line .....................................................................................................179Scheduling activities ....................................................................................................................... 179

Controlling the flow of items to an activity .............................................................................181Fixed number of items ....................................................................................................................181

Fixed period of time ........................................................................................................................183

Interrupting processing ...........................................................................................................183Preemption .....................................................................................................................................184Shutting down ................................................................................................................................185

Multitasking............................................................................................................................190Simulate Multitasking Activity model .............................................................................................191

Kanban system ........................................................................................................................191Transportation and material handling......................................................................................192

Travel time ......................................................................................................................................192Transport blocks..............................................................................................................................193Convey Item blocks.........................................................................................................................195How the length is calculated............................................................................................................196Transportation models.....................................................................................................................197

Batching and Unbatching .................................................................................... 199Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................200Batching..................................................................................................................................200

Batch dialog ....................................................................................................................................201Simple batching ..............................................................................................................................202Batching by matching items ............................................................................................................203Batching a variable number of items................................................................................................204Properties when items are batched...................................................................................................205Delaying kits ...................................................................................................................................207

Unbatching .............................................................................................................................207Simple unbatching ..........................................................................................................................208Variable batching and unbatching ...................................................................................................209Properties when items are unbatched...............................................................................................210

Preserving the items used to create a batch ..............................................................................210Both blocks choose to preserve uniqueness ......................................................................................210Either block chooses to preserve uniqueness ....................................................................................211

Additional models ...................................................................................................................211

Resources and Shifts............................................................................................. 213Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................214

Resource pool blocks .......................................................................................................................214Other resource blocks......................................................................................................................215

Modeling resources..................................................................................................................215How to model resources ..................................................................................................................215Resource Pool method.....................................................................................................................216Resource Item method ....................................................................................................................219Other methods for modeling resources............................................................................................221

Closed and open systems.........................................................................................................222Scheduling resources ...............................................................................................................222

Scheduling resource pools and resource items..................................................................................222Scheduling resource items ...............................................................................................................223

The Shift block .......................................................................................................................224Shift types and what they control ....................................................................................................224Status connectors ............................................................................................................................225Shift models ....................................................................................................................................225

Advanced Resource Management ............................................................................................229How Advanced Resource Management works .................................................................................229Definitions......................................................................................................................................230

Tutorial ...................................................................................................................................230Phase I: Adding ARM to a model............................................................................................231Add the Resource Manager block.................................................................................................... 231Resource Pool ................................................................................................................................. 232Queue ............................................................................................................................................ 233Resource Pool Release ..................................................................................................................... 234Save and run................................................................................................................................... 234

Phase II: Organizing resources.................................................................................................235Resource Pools ................................................................................................................................ 236Requirements tab of Resource Manager .......................................................................................... 236Create a string attribute .................................................................................................................. 238Save and run................................................................................................................................... 240Results ............................................................................................................................................ 240Gathering statistical information .................................................................................................... 241

Phase III: An alternate method for creating pools ....................................................................241Use a Resource Manager to create a pool and resources................................................................... 241Create a resource requirement......................................................................................................... 243

Additional information ...........................................................................................................245Groups ........................................................................................................................................... 246Resource orders............................................................................................................................... 247Status and transitions...................................................................................................................... 247Properties ....................................................................................................................................... 248Release rules ................................................................................................................................... 250Policies ........................................................................................................................................... 251

Resource requirements ............................................................................................................252Hierarchy of a resource requirement ............................................................................................... 252Steps to take before creating............................................................................................................ 252How to create a new resource requirement...................................................................................... 253Filtering conditions......................................................................................................................... 253Quantity expressions....................................................................................................................... 254Resource requirements.................................................................................................................... 257Default resource requirements ........................................................................................................ 258

Comparison of the three resource methods..............................................................................259The Advanced Resources database ...........................................................................................260Blocks that compose the ARM system.....................................................................................260Primary transactions for ARM.................................................................................................261

Item-initiated ARM transactions .................................................................................................... 262Resource Pool-initiated ARM transactions ...................................................................................... 264Shift................................................................................................................................................ 265

Activity-Based Costing......................................................................................... 267Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................268Modeling with activity-based costing.......................................................................................269

Item types....................................................................................................................................... 269Defining costs and cost rates........................................................................................................... 270Combining resources with cost accumulators.................................................................................. 273Combining cost accumulators ........................................................................................................ 275Working with cost data................................................................................................................... 275

How ExtendSim tracks costs ...................................................................................................278Setting the _cost and _rate attributes .............................................................................................. 278Combining resources with cost accumulators.................................................................................. 278Calculating costs............................................................................................................................. 279Combining multiple cost accumulators .......................................................................................... 280

Statistics and Model Metrics ................................................................................ 281

Commonly used blocks ...........................................................................................................282Gathering statistics ..................................................................................................................283

Clearing statistics ....................................................................................................................283

Clearing Statistics model .................................................................................................................283Using the History block to get item information.....................................................................283

History model .................................................................................................................................284Verifying Information model...........................................................................................................284

Using the Item Log Manager to get item information .............................................................285Accumulating data ..................................................................................................................285

Non-Processing model ....................................................................................................................285Processing model.............................................................................................................................286

Time weighted versus observed statistics..................................................................................286Time Weighted Statistics model ......................................................................................................287

Timing the flow of items in a portion of the model .................................................................287

Tips and Techniques............................................................................................. 289Moving items through the simulation .....................................................................................290

How items move through the simulation ........................................................................................290Connections to multiple item input connectors ..............................................................................292An items travel time........................................................................................................................292Using scaling for large numbers of items .........................................................................................293Preprocessing...................................................................................................................................293Restricting items in a system ...........................................................................................................293Connecting to the select connector .................................................................................................294

Continuous blocks in discrete event models ............................................................................294Setting time-based parameters using connectors ..............................................................................295Varying a distributions arguments...................................................................................................295Using the Holding Tank block to accumulate values .......................................................................296

Cycle timing............................................................................................................................298Using the Timing attribute feature ..................................................................................................298Using a Set or Equation(I) and Information blocks .........................................................................299

Item library blocks ..................................................................................................................299Executive block ...............................................................................................................................299Templates........................................................................................................................................300Block types......................................................................................................................................300Common connectors on discrete event blocks .................................................................................301

Event scheduling .....................................................................................................................302Event calendars ...............................................................................................................................303Zero time events..............................................................................................................................303Event Scheduling model..................................................................................................................304

Messaging in discrete event models .........................................................................................305Block messages ................................................................................................................................305

DISCRETE RATE MODELING

Introduction......................................................................................................... 309What this chapter covers .........................................................................................................310Discrete rate application areas .................................................................................................310Simulating discrete rate systems...............................................................................................311

Comparison to discrete event and continuous modeling..................................................................311Discrete rate models ........................................................................................................................312

Blocks for building discrete rate models...................................................................................313Rate library .....................................................................................................................................313Creating custom discrete rate blocks................................................................................................313

Terminology and architecture..................................................................................................313LP technology ................................................................................................................................ 314

Layout of a discrete rate model ....................................................................................................... 314Executive block............................................................................................................................... 314Connectors and connections........................................................................................................... 314Units and unit groups..................................................................................................................... 315Rates............................................................................................................................................... 316

How the Discrete Rate module is organized ............................................................................316

Tutorial for Discrete Rate Systems ....................................................................... 317A basic discrete rate model ......................................................................................................318

About the model............................................................................................................................. 318Starting a model and setting simulation parameters ........................................................................ 319Start small....................................................................................................................................... 319Add a dynamic constraint ............................................................................................................... 322Add a fruit processing line .............................................................................................................. 323Add maintenance............................................................................................................................ 324Change the flow unit to containers for the filling process................................................................ 325Cool the mixture ............................................................................................................................ 326Package the containers .................................................................................................................... 327Add a palletizing area...................................................................................................................... 328Add a second palletizing area .......................................................................................................... 330

Further exploration .................................................................................................................331

Creating Flow ...................................................................................................... 333Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................334

Residence blocks for creating flow .................................................................................................. 334Creating flow ..........................................................................................................................334

Empty and not-empty .................................................................................................................... 335Tank initialization........................................................................................................................... 335Interchange block modes ................................................................................................................ 336Convey Flow initialization .............................................................................................................. 337

Indicators ................................................................................................................................337Setting indicators............................................................................................................................ 338Getting information about levels .................................................................................................... 338

Flow attributes ........................................................................................................................339Names and values of flow attributes ................................................................................................ 339Types of flow attributes................................................................................................................... 339Creating and assigning a flow attribute ........................................................................................... 340How flow attributes are propagated in the model............................................................................ 340Managing and displaying flow attributes......................................................................................... 342Flow attributes and item attributes ................................................................................................. 343

Storage and Units................................................................................................. 345Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................346

Residence blocks for holding flow................................................................................................... 346Changing the flow unit group......................................................................................................... 347

Capacity..................................................................................................................................347Full and not-full ............................................................................................................................. 347Tank blocks capacity ...................................................................................................................... 347Interchange blocks capacity ............................................................................................................ 348Convey Flow blocks capacity.......................................................................................................... 348

Units and unit groups .............................................................................................................349Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 349Declaring and selecting flow units .................................................................................................. 351

Defining block units .......................................................................................................................351Time units ......................................................................................................................................352Changing the unit group.........................................................................................................352Change Units block.........................................................................................................................352

Rates, Constraints, and Movement....................................................................... 355Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................356Rates, rate sections, and the LP area ........................................................................................357

Types of rates ..................................................................................................................................357Rate sections ...................................................................................................................................359Rate precision..................................................................................................................................360LP area ............................................................................................................................................360

Flow rules................................................................................................................................360Critical and relational constraints ....................................................................................................361

Defining a critical constraint ...................................................................................................362Valve ...............................................................................................................................................363Tank and Interchange......................................................................................................................364Convey Flow...................................................................................................................................365Merge and Diverge..........................................................................................................................365

Meeting the critical constraint requirement .............................................................................366Valve or Convey Flow .....................................................................................................................366Tank or Interchange ........................................................................................................................366Merge or Diverge blocks .................................................................................................................367

Comprehensive example..........................................................................................................369Rate sections ...................................................................................................................................369Critical constraints ..........................................................................................................................369Relational constraint .......................................................................................................................369Simulations impact on the effective rates.........................................................................................369

Merging, Diverging, and Routing Flow................................................................ 371Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................372Merging and diverging flow.....................................................................................................372

Mode table ......................................................................................................................................373Select mode.....................................................................................................................................373Batch/Unbatch mode ......................................................................................................................375Proportional mode ..........................................................................................................................375Priority mode ..................................................................................................................................376Distributional mode........................................................................................................................378Sensing mode..................................................................................................................................379Neutral mode..................................................................................................................................380

Features of the Merge and Diverge blocks ...............................................................................381Bias Order resolving competing requests for flow .........................................................................381Managing flow attributes.................................................................................................................382Internal throw and catch .................................................................................................................382Changing decision rules dynamically...............................................................................................382

Throwing flow and catching flow remotely .............................................................................383Creating a throw/catch connection..................................................................................................384Filter options to facilitate throw/catch connections .........................................................................385Examples of throw and catch connections .......................................................................................385

Delaying Flow ...................................................................................................... 389Blocks of interest .....................................................................................................................390Controlling a Valves maximum rate ........................................................................................390

Using the Flow Control tab.............................................................................................................391Observing the maximum rate for a goal ..........................................................................................391

Setting a Valves quantity goal ......................................................................................................... 391Setting a Valves duration goal......................................................................................................... 395

Setting hysteresis in a Valve............................................................................................................. 397

Delaying flow with the Shift block ..........................................................................................399Adding a Shift to a model ............................................................................................................... 399

Convey Flow block..................................................................................................................399Dialog settings ................................................................................................................................ 400Constraining rates........................................................................................................................... 401Convey Flow information............................................................................................................... 401When to avoid using the Convey Flow block.................................................................................. 403

Mixing Flow and Items ........................................................................................ 405Controlling flow with items and items with flow.....................................................................406

Items controlling flow..................................................................................................................... 406Flow controlling items .................................................................................................................... 407Flow controlling items and items controlling flow .......................................................................... 408Step The Flow Process model.......................................................................................................... 408

Using the Interchange block to mix items with flow................................................................410Behavioral rules .............................................................................................................................. 410The flow connector configuration................................................................................................... 411Item release conditions ................................................................................................................... 411Interchange modes.......................................................................................................................... 412Converting between item and flow attributes.................................................................................. 415

Miscellaneous....................................................................................................... 417Precision..................................................................................................................................418Biasing flow.............................................................................................................................418

Bias order ....................................................................................................................................... 419Bias block ....................................................................................................................................... 419Merge and Diverge blocks .............................................................................................................. 420

Global and advanced options in the Executive.........................................................................422Global options................................................................................................................................ 422Advanced options ........................................................................................................................... 424

Common connectors on discrete rate blocks............................................................................426Animation...............................................................................................................................428

Tank ............................................................................................................................................... 428Interchange..................................................................................................................................... 429Valve............................................................................................................................................... 429Sensor............................................................................................................................................. 431Convey Flow .................................................................................................................................. 431

Advanced Topics .................................................................................................. 433What this chapter covers .........................................................................................................434LP technology .........................................................................................................................434

Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 434The LP area .................................................................................................................................... 435The sequence of events ................................................................................................................... 435Types of information provided to the Executive.............................................................................. 437The LP calculation ......................................................................................................................... 440

Upstream supply and downstream demand .............................................................................440Definition....................................................................................................................................... 441Requirements for the supply/demand calculation ........................................................................... 441Cautions when using potential rates ............................................................................................... 441

Messaging in discrete rate models ............................................................................................444Block messages ............................................................................................................................... 445

3D ANIMATIONIntroduction to E3D ............................................................................................ 447What this chapter covers .........................................................................................................448Blocks and objects for 3D animation.......................................................................................448

Item library blocks ..........................................................................................................................448Animation library............................................................................................................................449Custom 3D objects and blocks........................................................................................................449

Overview.................................................................................................................................449Features...........................................................................................................................................449Controlling the E3D environment ..................................................................................................451

Prerequisites ............................................................................................................................451Software and hardware ....................................................................................................................451Preparation......................................................................................................................................452

How the E3D module is organized .........................................................................................452

Tutorial I .............................................................................................................. 453The E3D environment............................................................................................................454

Opening the E3D window..............................................................................................................454Exploring the E3D window.............................................................................................................454Changing the associated model .......................................................................................................456Navigating within the E3D window................................................................................................456Manipulating the E3D window.......................................................................................................457

3D animation modes...............................................................................................................458Mode descriptions...........................................................................................................................458QuickView versus Concurrent or Buffered ......................................................................................458

Running a model with 3D animation......................................................................................459Opening the model .........................................................................................................................459Running the model with 3D animation ..........................................................................................460

Next step.................................................................................................................................461

Tutorial II............................................................................................................. 463Adding 3D behavior to an existing model ...............................................................................464

The goal..........................................................................................................................................464Open the starter model ...................................................................................................................465Cause objects to move simultaneously .............................................................................................467Create objects to represent items .....................................................................................................467Create objects to represent blocks....................................................................................................468

Enhancing the model ..............................................................................................................469Add scenery.....................................................................................................................................469Add a 3D Controller block..............................................................................................................469Launch with the E3D window ........................................................................................................470

Some things to notice..............................................................................................................470Internal animation ..........................................................................................................................470Rotation of 3D objects ....................................................................................................................470Mounting objects ............................................................................................................................471Moving blocks linked to objects ......................................................................................................471Conveyor ........................................................................................................................................471Item length .....................................................................................................................................472Conveyor capacity...........................................................................................................................472

Tutorial III ........................................................................................................... 473Animating a bank line .............................................................................................................474

The goal..........................................................................................................................................474Open the starter model ...................................................................................................................474

Animate the model in 3D............................................................................................................... 476Unmount the Activity blocks ..................................................................................................477

Add Transport blocks ..............................................................................................................477

Animating the travel time ............................................................................................................... 477What the model needs .................................................................................................................... 477Walking and waiting in a line ......................................................................................................... 478Leaving the bank ............................................................................................................................ 478Minimizing the icons of the existing Transport blocks .................................................................... 479The model so far............................................................................................................................. 479

Block positions to determine a paths length ............................................................................480Setting the speed and determining the distance............................................................................... 480

Mounting objects ....................................................................................................................481Steps for mounting an object .......................................................................................................... 481Create the object............................................................................................................................. 482Create an attribute.......................................................................................................................... 482Mount the object on the item......................................................................................................... 482Create a hierarchical block .............................................................................................................. 483

Unlinking objects from blocks.................................................................................................484Unlinking positions ........................................................................................................................ 484

Creating custom pathways.......................................................................................................484Use the correct Transport behavior ................................................................................................. 485Creating paths ................................................................................................................................ 485Create a new environment file ......................