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Hi All I would like help to build a custom (subclassed) node that, OnInitialized, would populate a lists of inbound and outbound path in each node. Ideally, it would also determine and store each path's length or travel time, and whether the path is available or not (this would probably require a subclassed path as well). I want this done dynamically (automatically) because I will likely have hundreds of nodes in my model and populating (and re-populating) these lists would be very time consuming and not very conducive to an efficient design process where paths and nodes would be added/subtracted throughout the design process. First, I guess, actually...is dynamic list population possible? Any thoughts? Thanks

Hi all, I am building a simulation of a system with multiple separators which MemberOutput nodes two different routing policies can occur: 1. Standard Policy In the 'Standard Policy', each separator has its dedicated transporter assigned to it and entities arriving at the MemberOutputNode can only select the defined transporter. To this end, a DataTable has been constructed. 2. Power Hour policy In the 'Power Hour Policy', operations are shifted into a higher gear. We select a maximum number of three nearest transporters whose ride request is 0 and include them in the DataTable which specifies the Transporter Selection. Entities arriving at the MemberOutputNode can now request rides from any transporter in the DataTable. I tried to reference to a DataTable called 'TransporterSelection.EPT' in the Transport Logic of each MemberOutput Node. Each value in the EPT column is cross-referencing to a DataTable in which I try to assign the MemberInput Nodes as a Node Reference State Variable of the Transporter (EPT). Is there any way to dynamically assign more (or less for that matter) Transporters to a TransferNode? Hope that anyone knows how to do this! Cheers, Toon

Hi, One way to do this is put a Dynamic Selection Rule: Smallest Value First on the Worker, with the value expression of: Candidate.Entity.DirectDistanceTo.Object(Worker). This could work.

Hello, i am using the Financials Properties in Simio. In this simple model, i have parameters for different cost types (see in the picture). All the cost types are used with the default financial states. The dynamic label of the ModelEntiy shows the expression "ModelEntity.Cost", so it roll all the cost components up in the particular entity. The entity in the processing has a value of 76.84. (rolled up) Now my question is, is it possible to see all the cost components for all my model entity, for example as a expression in a floor label or in a data table. Thank you!

Hi! Yes, there is a way. What you could do is use a String.Format expression. This way you can show multiple variables on the dynamic text. On your case something like: String.Format("{0}: {1} {2}{3}: {4}", "Material Costs", MyModelEntity.MaterialCosts, String.NewLine, "ProductionCosts", MyModelEntity.ProductionCosts) should work. As a plus, you could use a state to disable/enable these labels with a button and a process. Something like: Math.If(EnableTxT, String.Format("{0}: {1} {2}{3}: {4}", "State1", ModelEntity.State1, String.NewLine, "State2", ModelEntity.State2), "")

Hello, i would like to know if its possible to track the different values for a user defined MyModelEntity state. In my case, i created different states like MyModelEntity.MaterialCosts and MyModelEntity.HoldingCosts, ...TransportCosts ... etc. The values are summed up in a state called MyModelEntity.ProductionCosts. This state is shown as a dynamic label text in my model, so i can see the production cost value at the actual time. But is it possible to see the different values of the MyModelEntity states that make up the production costs for instance during different periods of times in the simulation or at any time? Because i would like to see the values of my states like MyModelEntity.MaterialCosts at certain times in the simulation. Thank you!

Hi all, I am modeling a restaurant, where orders are placed until 22:00. The preparation of these orders takes approximately 20 minutes (it can be more or less due to the probability distributions involved). I have some workers whose schedules are from 10:00 to 22:30 and they prepare these orders. The problem is the following. Suppose that it's 22:30 and there are still some orders in the queue. Since the worker's schedule ends now, those orders can't be processed and will remain for the next day. This obviously does not happen in a real-life restaurant. So if at the end of the worker schedule (22:30) there are some orders in queue, I would like to extend the schedule until all orders are met. How can this be done? Thank you in advance, Marcel Favereau

The SkyBox icon on the View Ribbon opens a library of static and dynamic scenes that can be placed in the 3D animation. Dynamic scenery includes several options for clouds that move with the animation as the model runs. Typically, the Speed Factor should be set to 5 - 10 or greater to see movement. Static skybox options include many indoor and outdoor scenes. Indoor applications include adding building walls to surround your model. The 'None' option will remove any existing skybox. Users can create their own SkyBoxes as well. The “library” skyboxes are simply *.zip files with images inside them with the names front, back, left, right, top, bottom. They don’t need to have all of those names in them, Simio will use whatever ones it finds. They are located in the Skybox folder under \Public\PublicDocuments\Simio. Note when you first apply the SkyBox, you can only view it in 3D and you may need to use the Ctrl Scroll wheel to move the camera down to where you can see the horizon. There are over 20 SkyBoxes that are installed with Simio. A few more are attached below. Simply download and save these zip files in the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Simio\SkyBox folder. The next time you open Simio you should see something like this under SkyBox options: Here is an example of the MFGPlant SkyBox with a server in the foreground: If you create your own skybox images that you feel might be useful to others, please share them here. Hospital.zip MFGPlant.zip Warehouse.zip Airport.zip CleanMFGFacility.zip NEW NOTE: We just decided to reduce the size of these and some existing skybox files and include them all in Sprint 215. So it is probably better that you just wait a bit unless your need is urgent.

Hi, I have a series of shipping containers that are fed by a single conveyor, and I want all the containers to fill to a specific capacity whilst minimising the total time to fill. That means that if a container downstream is busy transfering-in an entity, then subsequent entities should stop at an upstream container to mitigate any queing, whilst respecting the capacity limits. At the moment I have the containers represented by sinks, but this doesn't allow me to set capacity limits. I'm using a TransferNode to set each entity's destination with a sequence table, but this doesn't reflect that an entity's destination might change enroute if it's desitation becomes busy or full as it transits. Can anyone please offer some advice or point me towards a SimBit that does something similar? Thanks, Craig

I found the answer again. For those who want to know: step 1) Add replenishment policy property to data table step 2) Chose a default value for replenishment policy step 3) Click default values of dynamic properties According to selection made in step2, the list of properties now appear at step 3. (If min/max is selected OrderUptoLevel and Reorder Point will appear)

Hi, Is it possible to access the filter expression of standard Dynamic Selection Rules for use in processes? Basically I want to filter queues based on some Entity properties, eg, being a specific material. However standard dispatching rules only apply the filter if multiple entities are in the queue. Eg, if a an entity of "wrong" type arrives to the InputBuffer of a Server and the input buffer is empty it will seize the queue anyway. In my case I want to keep the server starved until an entity of correct type arrives. I found a way to implement that by filtering the queue with the same expression as used in the dynamic selection rule, however I need to add another property for that expression, which is a bit confusing. Thanks for your help Michael

Hello indsiders, I have the following problem, which i broke down for better understanding: The next time Server2 is free, it should select the red entity with the priority 1 (Dynamical labels notify the Entity.Priority) even if the red entity has not reached the input buffer of Server 2 at that specific time. It seems like i need a ranking expression that says: Server2 select Entity.Priority == 1 out of the input buffer. If there is no Entity that matches this condition wait until a entity with the matching condition arrives in the input buffer. I tried the seize, allocate and reserve step. But nothing is realy acceptable. I assume it's an easy problem, but after several hour of trying i gave up :(. Can someome help me ? Best regards, Benjamin

Hello. I'd like to change the value of timer time interval dynamically. I have manufacturing order table which Columns are orderID, PartType, Quantity and ReleaseDate. The model has only one workstation and three resources. When the order is arrived, check which part type is going to process. If part type is A or B, Just process. If part type is others, wait until specific date time and process. To do this, I created a timer element which interval is state type property. However, the value of interval never change during the run I attached the model below. Can anyone know how to change time interval dynamically ? Or, Can anyone have better idea to do this? Thank you. TimeIntervalChange.spfx

Hi, I made a simple warehouse-retailer model with a source(warehouse), two servers(retailers), and a sink, where the entities(products) are carried from the source to the servers using a single vehicle. The current capacities(demand value at the retailer) of the servers changes after a specific time interval(12-hours and simulation run time of100 days). The Input and Output buffer capacities of both the servers are set to zero. The vehicle leaving the source (Home node) returns back only after serving the respective current capacities of the servers one after the other. As each entity enters the server, its capacity is reduced by 1 unit ultimately reaching zero-current capacity when the full capacity is served. The problem I encounter is that sometimes after my vehicle leaves the source, the current capacity value of the server changes and the new value might be smaller than the previous current capacity value. So my vehicle stays at the input node of the server with the extra entities carried until a new current capacity value is assigned, instead of moving to the next server with whatever entities are left in the vehicle. I don't intend to change the vehicle speed or time interval for capacity changes to rectify this issue. For example, the current capacity values of the servers at time period 1 are Server 1 = 10 & Server 2 = 12. So the vehicle carries 10+12=22 entities from the source to the server 1. Now while the vehicle is moving towards Server 1, if the current capacity changes to Server 1 = 8 & Server 2 = 12, the vehicle stays at server 1 after serving the 8 units and the remaining 14 units stays within the vehicle instead of moving to the next server to serve its capacity. Screenshot of the model is attached. Could anyone help me with this issue? I would really appreciate your support as I have been trying to fix this issue for a while.

Hi everybody Not sure if opening a new topic is the best way, but I did not manage to find (even with Search) a discussion on the possibility to create fixed objects (servers, workstations or objects of fixed class) in a dynamic way. Here is what I mean: Entity enters the model if(the needed fixed object exists) -> entity is routed to that object else a new fixed object is created entity is routed to that object I tried the Create step in a process, but as far as I can go this step creates an Agent type of object. I'd appreciate any suggestions, ideas, feedback - thanks people!

Hi Jon, let me know if this helps. I added priorities to entities and changed the dynamic selection. Unmesh Model_worker.spfx

Hello all, I’m having a tough time modeling a dynamic routing priority situation. I have entity instances that I would like to route to one of N servers. I currently have node lists that I use to route out of a transfer node per entity instance (actually, I have a list property defined on my entity, and the transfer node’s repeat group references ModelEntity.NodeListProperty). This seems to work well, but now I would like to embellish the model so that the priority can change on a given date. I already have logic to detect the date change—my question is how can I reference a new node list for each entity instance? Potentially complicating the issue: I have an additional requirement that the routing priorities be tied to an Excel input file. Lists cannot be bound to data (a lacking feature, in my mind), so my node lists are actually references to table cells that hold nodes. For example, NodeList1 = I am flexible on the table structure required to meet the new feature of changing to a different set of nodes. I tried using a state variable to point to a different set of rows in the table (i.e. NodeList1 = ; IntState increments on each priority change). However, it appears that the list property gets initialized for the entity population on model initialization (makes sense) instead of when the entity gets created. Also, there is not an option for a list reference state variable. I also considered having multiple list properties on each entity… but how do I dynamically change the node list property on the transfer node’s routing group? So, any thoughts? Thanks! DynamicRoutingPriority.spfx

Hi, I want to create a component with N entry nodes and with M exit nodes, where N may be equal to M. What is the easiest way to achieve that in Simio? Thanks!

Double check that each Resource is hooked to the correct Work Schedule, and that you have the intended Day Pattern inputs for Mon - Sun in your Work Schedule(s). It sounds like you might need a separate (two total) Work Schedule for each group of 5 Resources. I would also recommend visually verifying that the Resources go OffShift (turn white) at the intended times. Other than that just make sure that the Off Shift Rule, in the Server's Secondary Resources, is also set to 'Suspend Processing'. Another way to check that the Server has suspended processing is to put some Dynamic Label Text on the Entity like 'ModelEntity.ID' so you can see exactly which Entity is in the Processing.Contents queue of the Server before and after the shift change. It should be the same one! Happy modeling!

Yes, it has the same issues, I need to make the task sequences more dynamic. I can't use task sequences as they are implemented to get the functionality I need. It looks like I need to write my own steps.

Hello and thanks for reading, I'm building a model that should replicate how vessels are handled within a port area. Within this area, there are multiple Terminals (servers) and ships (entities) that have to visit any number of terminals. Their processing times at each server vary. With their sequences predefined, I have managed to model this accurately, based on a first come first serve or another dispatching rule. I'd like to implement a dynamic sequence. 1) How can I model a certain degree of freedom in their sequences - e.g. a vessel is free to choose between sequence XABZ or XBAZ, depending on the queue size at A or B at the time of leaving X? However, in reality, these vessels enter the system, draft a sequence that is suitable for their loading plan, and then try to reserve serving times at the various terminals. I have tried wrapping my head around ways to model this, but can't seem to think of a way how. I could create a large amount of state variables for each server, that denotes whether or not a certain slot has been reserved, but that is not suitable for running long simulations. I read on this forum post that I could perhaps use a storage element, and store the reservations in there. How would I go about saving reservation-related information? Should I store that on the barge entity or in the terminal's reservation storage? How should I go about modelling timeslots in itself? 2) How can I model 'future' reservations of entities at the various servers? Finally, if this functions properly, and entities can request reservations at the various servers, I would like to have the servers compare all the requests at a certain cutoff time, and for all the doubly requested slots have it allocate the reservation based on the entities' characteristics. 3) Would I have to store the reservation data on both the entity and the server side for them to both make calculations with them, or is it enough to have them all on the server side, and denote whether they have been accepted with e.g. a boolean property? My apologies for the long post. Do not hesitate to ask for more information. Kind regards, Tom

Hi, I am new to Simio. I was trying to add a routing decision in my model based on average time waiting at a server. But this function only shows up in the status label but not when I try to use it in the Processes as shown in the images. An entity reaching a node should choose the route to a server which has minimum average time waiting. What I am trying to achieve is to create a dynamic routing so that the average Time in System of the entity will be minimized. I don't know whether this is the right method or if we need to work with API or functions to achieve this. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

@jzhou I'm confused why you're confused. I have several entity types (in the real world, they're hydraulic pumps and motors). They all go through the same stations on the assembly line, but they don't all fail at the same rate. For example, our motors have a FPY of 90% per say, but one model of pumps is closer to 55%, while another is 75%. We build to order, so I could run any part at any time. And each part has it's own failure rate and general repair time at each station. @CWatson I think I get what you're going for. But wouldn't that still tie a single failure rate to my station instead of a dynamic rate/time based on unit type? Thanks!

Hi Caleb, thx for your answer. Iam trying it with the resever step, as you told me. The next problem ist, that i select the Entity, which should reserve the station next with a sql database. I can only choose the Owner Object in the reserve step statically (advanced Options). I need something like a dynamic expression for example ( Object Owner: Entity.UniqueID == i ). How can i do this. I assume, it can be realised with an reference, but i seriously don't know how. Can u help me? Best regards, Benjamin