Module08Video01

Summary

This video demonstrates how to create a manufacturing system model using Simio by utilizing related tables and connecting them to external data sources. It focuses on setting up a model with five servers, three part types, and defining routing sequences, processing times, and part arrivals. The video walks through the steps of building a basic structure in Simio, importing data from an Excel spreadsheet, and binding it to the model. It highlights using data tables for specifying service times, routing by sequences, and managing symbols and priorities for different part types. This approach enhances the flexibility and accuracy of the simulation model.

Takeaways

• 😀 The focus of the video is on using related tables and binding them to external data sources in a manufacturing system simulation model.
• 😀 The model involves five servers and three different part types with unique routing sequences for each part type.
• 😀 Excel spreadsheets are used to define key problem data, including part visitation sequences, processing times, processing rates, and arrival rates for different part types.
• 😀 The manufacturing model uses exponential processing times, with mean processing rates provided for each station, expressed in parts per hour.
• 😀 The arrival rate for parts is 25 parts per hour, with a mix of 25% for part type A, 30% for part type B, and 40% for part type C.
• 😀 The simulation model's structure involves defining part types, servers, and routing paths, with each part type assigned specific colors and symbols to differentiate their processing states.
• 😀 Data tables such as 'part types' and 'part sequences' are used to define the properties and processing steps for each part type and their sequence of service across servers.
• 😀 The 'part types' table includes columns for part type, priority, and product mix, which are later used to control the part type selection in the model.
• 😀 The part sequence table is used to manage the routing sequence and service times for each part type, with random exponential distributions applied to processing times.
• 😀 External data binding is demonstrated by exporting the part sequences table to a CSV file, which is then re-imported to sync the model with external data for easier data management.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video?

The video focuses on using related tables in Simio and demonstrating how to bind these tables to external data sources, with a manufacturing system as the context.

How many part types are considered in the model?

There are three part types considered in the model: Part A, Part B, and Part C.

What is the method used to define part sequences?

Part sequences are defined using two data tables: a 'Part Types' table and a 'Part Sequences' table. These tables store the part type information and the corresponding routing sequences for each part type.

How are different processing times handled in the model?

Different processing times for each part type at various machines are specified in the 'Part Sequences' table, with the processing times being defined as exponential distributions using the 'random exponential' function.

What is the role of the part types table?

The 'Part Types' table stores information about the three part types, including their priorities and the product mix percentages (25% for Part A, 30% for Part B, and 45% for Part C).

How is the part type assigned to an entity in the model?

The part type is assigned to an entity using a random selection from the 'Part Types' table, based on the mix percentages defined in the table. This is done via the table assignment feature in Simio.

What does the part sequences table include?

The 'Part Sequences' table includes the part types, the routing sequences (which specify the order of servers or machines for processing), the service times (as exponential distributions), and the symbol index for each part type at different processing steps.

What happens when the 'Part Sequences' table is bound to an external Excel file?

When the 'Part Sequences' table is bound to an external Excel file, the data from the Excel file is imported into the Simio model. This allows for easier editing and management of the data outside of Simio, while maintaining the connection to the model.

How is the symbol index used in the model?

The symbol index is used to assign different colors to parts as they progress through various processing states. The symbol associated with each part is updated as the part moves through the servers, based on the values in the 'Part Sequences' table.

What should be done when changes are made to the data tables in the external spreadsheet?

When changes are made to the data tables in the external spreadsheet, the data must be manually imported back into Simio to reflect the updates. If the binding is set to automatic, the data would be re-imported every time the model is run, but it is recommended to set it to manual to control when imports occur.