Release Notes

Simio Release 3 – Sprints 49-52 – April 2, 2011

Simio Evaluation Edition

Simio Evaluation Mode has been enhanced to better support its use for both evaluation and training. It retains the ability to build models of any size and complexity (without saving) so all product features may be explored. But now we have added the ability to save small models or model fragments so that you can share your work with others. This new functionality makes it useful for training classes as well. Although the evaluation version may be used within universities, it does not support building all models featured in the Simio books so we still recommend using a student license to permit more flexibility and student project work.

Simio Evaluation includes the same user interface/ features as the Academic versions but has the following limitations:

  • Object count limit of 18
  • Process steps count limit of 15
  • Models in a project limit of 3
  • No user-customized (.NET) extensions
  • Experiments are available only if the model is within the above limits

If the above limits are exceeded, users can still build and run large models, however there is no ability to save those larger models.

Parking Options for Vehicles and Workers

Two new options have been added to both the vehicle and worker objects for parking. Parking a vehicle or worker is useful to avoid blocking other travelers on a network. It also allows for better animation of workers and vehicles while they are being utilized at a node. The options include:
Park While Busy – True / False
Park For Load / Unload – True / False

Performance Improvements

We have made changes to the Simio engine to increase runtime performance. You should notice that links (especially conveyors) now run noticeably faster.  The Fast Forward operation has also been enhanced to run up to 6 times faster than in previous versions.

Output Analysis Enhancement

We have changed the format for Scenario / Result reporting in output analysis tables to be easier to read and work with. The prior linear format with all of the Responses shown in a single column for each scenario has been replaced by a matrix format with the Responses shown as separate columns for each scenario.

Disable Randomness Function

We’ve added a new DisableRandomness function that can be used in expressions and logic to indicate whether randomness in the current simulation run is disabled. This can be used to change your logic if randomness is used or not. For example, you may want to have a process time average of 10 minutes when randomness is on, but use a more conservative value of 11 minutes when randomness is off. Using the DisableRandomness button may be useful in debugging as well.

Additionally, if the ‘Disable Randomness’ option is being used, for any standard library object with ‘Reliability Logic’ support, the reliability logic will be automatically disabled and no failure occurrences generated.

New SimBits

We have added five new SimBits to our extensive SimBit library:

  • PathSelectionRule.spfx shows two identical systems using a bidirectional link and demonstrates the difference in entity flow when the Traffic Direction Rule is changed.
  • BidirectionalLinks.spfx demonstrates the use of unidirectional ‘bypass’ links to minimize deadlocking on bidirectional links.
  • MassFlowProcessing.spfx uses custom objects and flow rates to move material from one stockpile to another.  
  • ExamplesOfConveyors.spfx demonstrates the use and effect of the different conveyor properties to define various types of conveyor systems.
  • SelectSpecificVehicle.spfx shows how to request different vehicles for different part types in the system and how to use the Selection Condition property.

New Examples

We have added two new Examples to our library of complete models that demonstrate how Simio works:

  • HospitalEmergencyDepartment.spfx demonstrates an emergency department operation and includes registration, triage, radiology, billing and 6 rooms and beds.  
  • ClaudesPizza.spfx uses custom objects integrated with the Standard Library objects to demonstrate the operations within a pizza restaurant.  

New examples are now accompanied by pdf descriptions and help topics similar to those that are included with SimBits.

Conveyor Enhancements

The Conveyor object within the Standard Library has been enhanced to include additional flexibility in defining the conveyor cells. The conveyor spacing may now be defined in terms of a fixed number of cells or a fixed cell size. Auto alignment options for the first entity entering the conveyor are also available.

Auto-Scrolling
Navigation within the Facility window has been enhanced by auto-scrolling feature. If you are dragging an object and attempt to move past the edge of the 2D/3D view, the view will automatically scroll in that direction.  

Trace Enhancements
The trace for several steps, including the PlanVisit and SelectVisit steps, has been enhanced for better user debugging. Newly added trace includes the details on ‘why’ if a step’s visit selection failed.

Status Plot Enhancements
Status plots have been enhanced to include keeping many more points on the plot than previously before (we used to keep approximately 100, we now keep upwards of 15000). The speed at which status plots update has also been increased.  

Process Element Additions
Within each process, there is a property window that includes information about the process. We have added a new Token Actions property category which includes the following options: OnAssociatedObjectDestroyed – End Process / Continue Process
OnAssociatedObjectTransferRequested – End Process / Continue Process
A process also now has a NumberTokensInProcess function. This can be referenced by using ProcessName.NumberTokensInProcess.