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Large update to help this page be more encyclopedic. Updated infobox to include programming language, translated languages, original release date, and genre. Updated software history, including notable features by version. Added sections on the software's usage in manufacturing (broadly and specifically) and in healthcare, including numerous additional sources (journal articles, books, and news). Added relevant further reading in which the software is directly mentioned.
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{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = FlexSim
| name = FlexSim
| screenshot =Factory simulation in FlexSim.jpg
| logo = BannerLogo problemSolved (R).svg
| developer = [https://www.flexsim.com/ FlexSim Software Products, Inc.]
| developer = FlexSim Software Products, Inc.
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| genre = [[Simulation_software|Simulation software]]
| released = 2003
⚫
| latest_release_version = 21.0.2
⚫
| latest_release_date = {{release date and age|mf=yes|2021|01|21}}
| license = [[Proprietary_software|Proprietary]]
| language = English, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), Japanese
⚫
| operating_system = [[Windows_10|Windows 10]] / [[Windows_8|Windows 8]] / [[Windows_7|Windows 7]]
| programming language = [[C%2B%2B|C++]]
| website = [https://www.flexsim.com www.flexsim.com]
| website = [https://www.flexsim.com www.flexsim.com]
⚫
| latest_release_version = 20.2.3
⚫
| latest_release_date = {{release date and age|mf=yes|2020|10|14}}
⚫
| operating_system = [[Windows 10]] / [[Windows 8]] / [[Windows 7]]
}}
}}
'''FlexSim''' is a [[discrete-event simulation]] software package developed by FlexSim Software Products, Inc. The FlexSim product family currently includes the general purpose FlexSim product and FlexSim Healthcare (FlexSim HC).
'''FlexSim''' is a [[discrete-event_simulation|discrete-event simulation]] software package developed by FlexSim Software Products, Inc. The FlexSim product family currently includes the general purpose FlexSim product and healthcare systems modeling environment ('''FlexSim HC''').


== History ==
== History ==
FlexSim development began in late-2001 as an unnamed development project of F&H Simulations, Inc., a U.S. distributor of F&H Holland’s Taylor II and Taylor ED products. Development was initially led by Dr. Eamonn Lavery, with lead developer Anthony Johnson joining in April 2002. Before the end of 2002, the development project was renamed FlexSim, which coincided with F&H Simulations, Inc. changing its name to FlexSim Software Products, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flexsim.com/company/ |title=About Us - FlexSim |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref>
The company FlexSim was founded in 1993 by Bill Nordgren (Co-Founder Promodel Corporation, 1988), Roger Hullinger, and Cliff King, originally under the name F&H Simulations, Inc. F&H Simulations sold, supported, and conducted training courses for Taylor II simulation software<ref>William B. Nordgren. "Taylor II manufacturing simulation software". ''In Proceedings of the 27th Conference on Winter Simulation, IEEE Computer Society'', Washington, DC, 401–404, 1995.</ref> – owned and developed by Holland's F&H Simulation B.V (F&H Holland).


FlexSim 1.0 was released in February 2003. FlexSim used a ''major.minor.build'' software versioning scheme until version 7.7.4; beginning with version 16.0.0 in March 14, 2016, FlexSim transitioned to a ''year.update.bugfix'' versioning scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://answers.flexsim.com/articles/60173/flexsim-version-numbering.html |title=FlexSim Version Numbering - FlexSim Community |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Answers |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref>
In 1998, F&H Holland developed the first generation 3D object oriented simulation engine Taylor ED (later renamed [[Enterprise Dynamics|Enterprise Dynamics)]]. F&H Simulations assisted with the development of robust objects for use in Taylor ED.


{| class="wikitable"
In 2000, F&H Holland was acquired, F&H Simulations became independent, and a new simulation product started development under the guidance of Dr. Eamonn Lavery and lead programmer Anthony Johnson. This new 3D simulation product, known now as FlexSim, coincided with F&H Simulations, Inc. changing its name to FlexSim Software Products, Inc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flexsim.com/company/|title=About Us - FlexSim Simulation Software|newspaper=FlexSim Simulation Software|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref> FlexSim 1.0 was released in February 2003 and the software has been in constant development since then. FlexSim HC was later developed to simulate and improve healthcare systems.
|+ Notable FlexSim Releases and Features<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.0/Reference/ReleaseNotesAndHistory/ |title=Release Notes and History |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Documentation |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref>
|-
! Version !! Release Date !! Notable Features
|-
| 1.0 || February 2003 || Initial Release
|-
| 2.0 || May 21, 2003 || Task Sequences
|-
| 3.0 || February 2, 2005 || OptQuest integration, User Libraries
|-
| 4.0 || March 7, 2007 || Fluid Library, FlexScript Model Logic (no need to compile C++)
|-
| 4.5 || January 9, 2009 || FlexScript Bytecode
|-
| 6.0 || March 23, 2012 || Multi-core Experimenter, FlexSim Web Server
|-
| 7.0 || October 14, 2013 || Module SDK, 64-bit, Stereoscopic 3D
|-
| 7.1 || March 10, 2014 || AGV and A* Modules
|-
| 7.5 || January 28, 2015 || Conveyor Module
|-
| 7.7 || November 23, 2015 || Process Flow Module, [[Virtual_reality|Virtual Reality]]
|-
| 17.0 || December 12, 2016 || FlexScript Machine Code
|-
| 18.0 || December 15, 2017 || People Module
|-
| 18.2 || August 8, 2018 || [[Cloud_computing|Cloud]]-based Experimentation/Optimization
|-
| 20.1 || April 10, 2020 || HTTP FlexScript API
|-
| 21.0 || December 4, 2020 || JSON FlexScript API, [[Chromium_Embedded_Framework|Chromium Embedded Framework]]
|}


== Useage ==
FlexSim Software Products, Inc. is headquartered in [[Orem]], [[Utah]], [[United States|USA]], with offices in [[Canada]] and [[Mexico]]. The FlexSim distributor network has offices in 34 countries and serves users worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flexsim.com/contact/|title=Contact - FlexSim Simulation Software|newspaper=FlexSim Simulation Software|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref>


=== Manufacturing ===
== Application and uptake ==
FlexSim has been used in a variety of simulation projects involving both standard and [[Flexible_manufacturing_system|flexible manufacturing systems]].<ref name="TikaszMcCulloch2012">{{cite journal|last1=Tikasz|first1=Laszlo G.|last2=McCulloch|first2=Robert I.|last3=Pentiah|first3=Scheale Duvah|last4=Baxter|first4=Robert F.|title=Simulation Tools to Complement Cast House Design and Daily Operation|year=2012|pages=993–997|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-48179-1_173}}</ref> Some examples include studies to determine optimal buffer sizes,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Determination of buffer size in single and multi row flexible manufacturing systems through simulation |journal=International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology |date=May 2011 |last=Srinivas |first=C. |last2=Satyanarayana |first2=B. |last3=Ramji |first3=K |last4=Ravela |first4=Naveen |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=3889-3899 |issn=0975-5462 |url=https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:62017178 |accessdate=2021-01-22 }}</ref> optimizing blend components in feed production,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Cost optimization of blend preparation with the use of the FlexSim environment |journal=Agricultural Engineering |year=2015 |last=Kaczmar |first=Ireneusz |volume=4 |issue=156 |pages=51-60 |issn=2083-1587 |doi=10.14654/ir.2015.156.151}}</ref> re-scheduling problems in mixed-line production planning,<ref name="HuangPei2013">{{cite journal|last1=Huang|first1=Hsiang-Hsi|last2=Pei|first2=Wen|last3=Wu|first3=Horng-Huei|last4=May|first4=Ming-Der|title=A research on problems of mixed-line production and the re-scheduling|journal=Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing|volume=29|issue=3|year=2013|pages=64–72|issn=07365845|doi=10.1016/j.rcim.2012.04.014}}</ref> optimizing electronics assembly lines,<ref>{{cite book |last=Gebus |first1=Sébastien |last2=Martin |first2=Olivier |last3=Soulas |first3=Alexandre |last4=Juuso |first4=Esko |title=Control Engineering Laboratory. Report A |chapter=Production optimization on PCB assembly lines using discrete-event simulation |chapter-url=http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9514275179 |volume=24 |date=2004-09-21 |isbn=951-42-7372-9}}</ref> and steel production scheduling.<ref>{{cite conference |last=Yao |first=Liufang |last2=Zhu |first2=Weifeng |title=Visual simulation framework of iron and steel production scheduling based on Flexsim |conference=2010 IEEE Fifth International Conference on Bio-Inspired Computing: Theories and Applications (BIC-TA) |publisher=IEEE |place=Changsha |year=2010 |pages=54-58 |doi=10.1109/BICTA.2010.5645359 }}</ref>

==== Industry 4.0 ====
FlexSim has been used to automate simulation model development for more than a decade; a 2008 study described a FlexSim-based solution that communicates with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software to generate simulation models.<ref name="BurnettMedeiros2008">{{cite journal|last1=Burnett|first1=Gabriel A.|last2=Medeiros|first2=D. J.|last3=Finke|first3=Daniel A.|last4=Traband|first4=Mark T.|title=Automating the development of Shipyard manufacturing models|year=2008|pages=1761–1767|doi=10.1109/WSC.2008.4736264}}</ref> With the ongoing trend of [[Fourth_Industrial_Revolution|Industry 4.0]] pushing manufacturers toward automation and improved communication, FlexSim has been used to develop computer simulation models for these applications.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A Simulation Study of Industry 4.0 Factories Based on the Ontology on Flexibility with using FlexSim Software |journal=Management and Production Engineering Review |date=September 2020 |last=Luściński |first=Sławomir |last2=Ivanov |first2=Vitalii |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=74-83 |doi=10.24425/mper.2020.134934 }}</ref>

FlexSim can be extended through C++, which allows the software to be integrated into systems involving real-time data communication.<ref name="FanZhou2009">{{cite journal|last1=Fan|first1=Shu-hai|last2=Zhou|first2=Zhi|last3=Shen|first3=Qian|title=A Virtual MCQA Information System Based on Flexsim|year=2009|pages=111–113|doi=10.1109/KAM.2009.50}}</ref> The software has been used for nearly real-time production planning, which improves upon the Master Schedule approach (which can get out of date and miss on-site changes).<ref name="DallasegaRojas2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dallasega|first1=Patrick|last2=Rojas|first2=Rafael A.|last3=Rauch|first3=Erwin|last4=Matt|first4=Dominik T.|title=Simulation Based Validation of Supply Chain Effects through ICT enabled Real-time-capability in ETO Production Planning|journal=Procedia Manufacturing|volume=11|year=2017|pages=846–853|issn=23519789|doi=10.1016/j.promfg.2017.07.187}}</ref> In one study, FlexSim was integrated into a dynamic data-driven application system to automatically generate simulation models via the [[XML]] language.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Data-driven modelling and simulation for integration of production planning and simulation systems |journal=Selected Engineering Problems |year=2012 |last=Krenczyk |first=Damian |issue=3 |pages=119-122 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259971042_Data-driven_modelling_and_simulation_for_integration_of_production_planning_and_simulation_systems |accessdate=2021-01-22 }}</ref>

==== Robotics and Crane ====
FlexSim's standard object library contains a 6-axis robot object capable that contains both pre-built motion logic and the ability to create customized motion paths.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.0/Reference/3DObjects/TaskExecuters/Robot/ |title=Robot |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Documentation |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref> FlexSim has been used to model and analyze robotic cells in manufacturing environments, including dynamic scheduling and control of a robotic assembly cell.<ref name="MihoubiGaham2015">{{cite journal|last1=Mihoubi|first1=B|last2=Gaham|first2=M|last3=Bouzouia|first3=B|last4=Bekrar|first4=A|title=A rule-based harmony search simulation-optimization approach for intelligent control of a robotic assembly cell|year=2015|pages=1–6|doi=10.1109/CEIT.2015.7233172}}</ref>

The standard object library also contains a crane object, "designed to simulate rail-guided cranes such as gantry, overhead, or jib cranes."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.0/Reference/3DObjects/TaskExecuters/Crane/ |title=Crane |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Documentation |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref> FlexSim, through the use of the crane object, has been used to evaluate solutions to crane scheduling in a shipbuilding environment.<ref name="WenEkşioğlu2010">{{cite journal|last1=Wen|first1=Charlie|last2=Ekşioğlu|first2=Sandra Duni|last3=Greenwood|first3=Allen|last4=Zhang|first4=Shu|title=Crane scheduling in a shipbuilding environment|journal=International Journal of Production Economics|volume=124|issue=1|year=2010|pages=40–50|issn=09255273|doi=10.1016/j.ijpe.2009.09.006}}</ref>

=== Healthcare ===
In April 2009, FlexSim Software Products, Inc. released a standalone healthcare simulation product named '''FlexSim HC'''. It was developed as simulation package focused on modeling patient flows and other healthcare processes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.flexsim.com/threads/thread994.html |title=FlexSim HC version 1.0 has been released - FlexSim Community |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Community Archive |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref> The final release in original FlexSim HC development path was version 5.3.10 on February 19, 2019; beginning with FlexSim version 19.1.0 on April 29, 2019, FlexSim HC functionality was merged into the core FlexSim development and became a modeling environment within the software.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://docs.flexsim.com/en/21.0/Reference/ReleaseNotesAndHistory/ |title=Release Notes and History (19.1) |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=FlexSim Documentation |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref>

In practice, the FlexSim HC environment is used by healthcare organizations to evaluate different scenarios in their healthcare processes and validate the scenarios before they are implemented.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolford |first=Ben |date=2018-04-18 |title=Computer Simulation Can Improve Patient Flow |url=https://www.birminghammedicalnews.com/news.php?viewStory=2895 |work=Birmingham Medical News |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref> The environment has been used in various patient care improvement initiatives, including studies to understand different treatment options in Labor & Delivery,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=James |last2=Giannakopoulos |first2=Allen J. |date=2014 |title=Employing Modeling and Simulation to Improve Patient Care |url=https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:204845029}}</ref> deploying advanced practice nurses in treating non-urgent patients,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abdulkadir |first1=Atalan |last2=Donmez |first2=C.C. |date=2019 |title=Employment of Emergency Advanced Nurses of Turkey: A Discrete-Event Simulation Application |journal=Processes |volume=7 |issue=1 |doi = 10.3390/pr7010048}}</ref> and demonstrating simulation-based design of a breast-screening facility as both a process improvement tool and as a management training tool.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Macleod |first1=Kenny |last2=Moody |first2=Robert |editor1-last=Nestel |editor1-first=Debra |editor2-last=Kelly |editor2-first=Michelle |editor3-last=Jolly |editor3-first=Brian |editor4-last=Watson |editor4-first=Marcus |title=Healthcare Simulation Education: Evidence, Theory and Practice |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |date=March 14, 2017 |pages=209-213 |chapter=Chapter 31: Simulation modelling and analysis to test health systems |doi=10.1002/9781119061656 |isbn=978-1-119-06159-5 |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>

Outside of the traditional healthcare setting, FlexSim has been used to dynamically calculate and visualize radiation exposure.<ref name="TompkinsKornreich2004">{{cite journal|last1=Tompkins|first1=G.H.|last2=Kornreich|first2=D.E.|last3=Parker|first3=R.Y.|last4=Koehler|first4=A.C.|last5=Gonzales-Lujan|first5=J.M.|last6=Burnside|first6=R.J.|title=Dynamic Radiation Dose Visualization in Discrete-Event Nuclear Facility Simulation Models|volume=2|year=2004|pages=472–478|doi=10.1109/WSC.2004.1371496}}</ref>

=== Other ===
As general purpose simulation software, FlexSim is used in a number of fields:
As general purpose simulation software, FlexSim is used in a number of fields:
* Manufacturing: Production, assembly line, job shop, etc.
* Material handling: Conveyor systems, [[Automated guided vehicle|AGV]], packaging, warehousing
* Material handling: Conveyor systems, [[Automated guided vehicle|AGV]], packaging, warehousing
* Logistics and distribution:<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Liu | first1 = Miaomiao | title = Logistics | last2 = Dong | first2 = Mingwang | year = 2008 | pages = 2547–2552 |doi = 10.1061/40996(330)376 | chapter = The Simulation Technology of Port Container Logistics System Based on Flexsim | isbn = 9780784409961 }}</ref> Container terminal operation, supply chain design, distribution center work flow, service and storage layout, etc.
* Logistics and distribution:<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Liu | first1 = Miaomiao | title = Logistics | last2 = Dong | first2 = Mingwang | year = 2008 | pages = 2547–2552 |doi = 10.1061/40996(330)376 | chapter = The Simulation Technology of Port Container Logistics System Based on Flexsim | isbn = 9780784409961 }}</ref> Container terminal operation, supply chain design, distribution center work flow, service and storage layout, etc.
* Transportation:<ref>Wang Weiping, Zhao Wen, Zhu Yifan and Hua Xueqian, "Survey on the Object oriented Simulation Method", ''Journal of National University of Defense Technology'', 1999-01.</ref> Highway system traffic flow, transit station pedestrian flow, maritime vessel coordination, custom traffic congestion, etc.
* Transportation:<ref>Wang Weiping, Zhao Wen, Zhu Yifan and Hua Xueqian, "Survey on the Object oriented Simulation Method", ''Journal of National University of Defense Technology'', 1999-01.</ref> Highway system traffic flow, transit station pedestrian flow, maritime vessel coordination, custom traffic congestion, etc.
* Healthcare package: to understand and improve healthcare processes like hospital capacity, improve layout, study AS-IS headcount analysis, provide insights to increase in efficiency and headcount optimization, improve the LOS (Lenght of Stay) of patients and find insights that improve throughput.
* Others: Oil field or mining processes, networking data flow,<ref>
* Others: Oil field or mining processes, networking data flow,<ref>
Pierre G. Paulin, Faraydon Karim and Paul Bromley, "Network Processors: A Perspective on Market Requirements, Processor Architectures and Embedded S/W Tools", ''Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition'', p. 0420, 2001.</ref> etc.
Pierre G. Paulin, Faraydon Karim and Paul Bromley, "Network Processors: A Perspective on Market Requirements, Processor Architectures and Embedded S/W Tools", ''Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition'', p. 0420, 2001.</ref> etc.
Line 53: Line 109:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|3}}
{{Reflist|5}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Beaverstock |first1=Malcolm |last2=Greenwood |first2=Allen |last3=Nordgren |first3=William |title=Applied Simulation: Modeling and Analysis Using FlexSim |edition=5th |location=Orem, UT |publisher=FlexSim Software Products, Inc. |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-9832319-5-0 }}
* {{cite book |title=Process Simulation and Optimization in Sustainable Logistics and Manufacturing |editor-last=Pawlewski |editor-first=Pawel |editor2-last=Greenwood |editor2-first=Allen |publisher=Springer |year=2014 |isbn=978-3-319-07347-7 }}
* {{cite book|last=Law|first=Averill M.|title=Simulation Modeling and Analysis |edition=4th |year=2006|publisher=McGraw-Hill Science|isbn=978-0-07-329441-4}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.flexsim.com/ FlexSim]
* [https://docs.flexsim.com/ FlexSim Documentation]


[[Category:Simulation software]]
[[Category:Simulation software]]
[[Category:Software companies based in Utah]]
[[Category:Companies based in Orem, Utah]]
[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]

Revision as of 00:45, 23 January 2021

FlexSim
Developer(s)FlexSim Software Products, Inc.
Initial release2003
Stable release
21.0.2 / January 21, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-21)
Written inC++
Operating systemWindows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7
Available inEnglish, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), Japanese
TypeSimulation software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.flexsim.com

FlexSim is a discrete-event simulation software package developed by FlexSim Software Products, Inc. The FlexSim product family currently includes the general purpose FlexSim product and healthcare systems modeling environment (FlexSim HC).

History

FlexSim development began in late-2001 as an unnamed development project of F&H Simulations, Inc., a U.S. distributor of F&H Holland’s Taylor II and Taylor ED products. Development was initially led by Dr. Eamonn Lavery, with lead developer Anthony Johnson joining in April 2002. Before the end of 2002, the development project was renamed FlexSim, which coincided with F&H Simulations, Inc. changing its name to FlexSim Software Products, Inc.[1]

FlexSim 1.0 was released in February 2003. FlexSim used a major.minor.build software versioning scheme until version 7.7.4; beginning with version 16.0.0 in March 14, 2016, FlexSim transitioned to a year.update.bugfix versioning scheme.[2]

Notable FlexSim Releases and Features[3]
Version Release Date Notable Features
1.0 February 2003 Initial Release
2.0 May 21, 2003 Task Sequences
3.0 February 2, 2005 OptQuest integration, User Libraries
4.0 March 7, 2007 Fluid Library, FlexScript Model Logic (no need to compile C++)
4.5 January 9, 2009 FlexScript Bytecode
6.0 March 23, 2012 Multi-core Experimenter, FlexSim Web Server
7.0 October 14, 2013 Module SDK, 64-bit, Stereoscopic 3D
7.1 March 10, 2014 AGV and A* Modules
7.5 January 28, 2015 Conveyor Module
7.7 November 23, 2015 Process Flow Module, Virtual Reality
17.0 December 12, 2016 FlexScript Machine Code
18.0 December 15, 2017 People Module
18.2 August 8, 2018 Cloud-based Experimentation/Optimization
20.1 April 10, 2020 HTTP FlexScript API
21.0 December 4, 2020 JSON FlexScript API, Chromium Embedded Framework

Useage

Manufacturing

FlexSim has been used in a variety of simulation projects involving both standard and flexible manufacturing systems.[4] Some examples include studies to determine optimal buffer sizes,[5] optimizing blend components in feed production,[6] re-scheduling problems in mixed-line production planning,[7] optimizing electronics assembly lines,[8] and steel production scheduling.[9]

Industry 4.0

FlexSim has been used to automate simulation model development for more than a decade; a 2008 study described a FlexSim-based solution that communicates with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software to generate simulation models.[10] With the ongoing trend of Industry 4.0 pushing manufacturers toward automation and improved communication, FlexSim has been used to develop computer simulation models for these applications.[11]

FlexSim can be extended through C++, which allows the software to be integrated into systems involving real-time data communication.[12] The software has been used for nearly real-time production planning, which improves upon the Master Schedule approach (which can get out of date and miss on-site changes).[13] In one study, FlexSim was integrated into a dynamic data-driven application system to automatically generate simulation models via the XML language.[14]

Robotics and Crane

FlexSim's standard object library contains a 6-axis robot object capable that contains both pre-built motion logic and the ability to create customized motion paths.[15] FlexSim has been used to model and analyze robotic cells in manufacturing environments, including dynamic scheduling and control of a robotic assembly cell.[16]

The standard object library also contains a crane object, "designed to simulate rail-guided cranes such as gantry, overhead, or jib cranes."[17] FlexSim, through the use of the crane object, has been used to evaluate solutions to crane scheduling in a shipbuilding environment.[18]

Healthcare

In April 2009, FlexSim Software Products, Inc. released a standalone healthcare simulation product named FlexSim HC. It was developed as simulation package focused on modeling patient flows and other healthcare processes.[19] The final release in original FlexSim HC development path was version 5.3.10 on February 19, 2019; beginning with FlexSim version 19.1.0 on April 29, 2019, FlexSim HC functionality was merged into the core FlexSim development and became a modeling environment within the software.[20]

In practice, the FlexSim HC environment is used by healthcare organizations to evaluate different scenarios in their healthcare processes and validate the scenarios before they are implemented.[21] The environment has been used in various patient care improvement initiatives, including studies to understand different treatment options in Labor & Delivery,[22] deploying advanced practice nurses in treating non-urgent patients,[23] and demonstrating simulation-based design of a breast-screening facility as both a process improvement tool and as a management training tool.[24]

Outside of the traditional healthcare setting, FlexSim has been used to dynamically calculate and visualize radiation exposure.[25]

Other

As general purpose simulation software, FlexSim is used in a number of fields:

  • Material handling: Conveyor systems, AGV, packaging, warehousing
  • Logistics and distribution:[26] Container terminal operation, supply chain design, distribution center work flow, service and storage layout, etc.
  • Transportation:[27] Highway system traffic flow, transit station pedestrian flow, maritime vessel coordination, custom traffic congestion, etc.
  • Others: Oil field or mining processes, networking data flow,[28] etc.

Main features

Robust standard objects

FlexSim includes a standard object library, with each object containing pre-built logic and task execution to mimic the resources found in real-world operations. FlexSim objects[29] are defined and programmed in four classes: fixed resource class, task executer class, node class and visual object class. FlexSim uses an object-oriented design.

Logic building tools

The logic for a FlexSim model can be built using very little or no computer code. Most standard objects contain an array of drop-down lists, properties windows, and triggers that allow the user to customize the logic required for an accurate model of the system. FlexSim also includes a flowcharting tool to create the logic for a model using pre-built activity blocks.

Drag-and-drop controls

Users can build the model by dragging and dropping predefined 3D objects into a "model view" to layout and link the model. Experienced users also have the option to specify and modify object parameters and behaviors using FlexScript and C++ programming languages.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About Us - FlexSim". FlexSim. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  2. ^ "FlexSim Version Numbering - FlexSim Community". FlexSim Answers. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  3. ^ "Release Notes and History". FlexSim Documentation. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. ^ Tikasz, Laszlo G.; McCulloch, Robert I.; Pentiah, Scheale Duvah; Baxter, Robert F. (2012). "Simulation Tools to Complement Cast House Design and Daily Operation": 993–997. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-48179-1_173. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Srinivas, C.; Satyanarayana, B.; Ramji, K; Ravela, Naveen (May 2011). "Determination of buffer size in single and multi row flexible manufacturing systems through simulation". International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology. 3 (5): 3889–3899. ISSN 0975-5462. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  6. ^ Kaczmar, Ireneusz (2015). "Cost optimization of blend preparation with the use of the FlexSim environment". Agricultural Engineering. 4 (156): 51–60. doi:10.14654/ir.2015.156.151. ISSN 2083-1587.
  7. ^ Huang, Hsiang-Hsi; Pei, Wen; Wu, Horng-Huei; May, Ming-Der (2013). "A research on problems of mixed-line production and the re-scheduling". Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. 29 (3): 64–72. doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2012.04.014. ISSN 0736-5845.
  8. ^ Gebus, Sébastien; Martin, Olivier; Soulas, Alexandre; Juuso, Esko (2004-09-21). "Production optimization on PCB assembly lines using discrete-event simulation". Control Engineering Laboratory. Report A. Vol. 24. ISBN 951-42-7372-9.
  9. ^ Yao, Liufang; Zhu, Weifeng (2010). Visual simulation framework of iron and steel production scheduling based on Flexsim. 2010 IEEE Fifth International Conference on Bio-Inspired Computing: Theories and Applications (BIC-TA). Changsha: IEEE. pp. 54–58. doi:10.1109/BICTA.2010.5645359.
  10. ^ Burnett, Gabriel A.; Medeiros, D. J.; Finke, Daniel A.; Traband, Mark T. (2008). "Automating the development of Shipyard manufacturing models": 1761–1767. doi:10.1109/WSC.2008.4736264. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ^ Luściński, Sławomir; Ivanov, Vitalii (September 2020). "A Simulation Study of Industry 4.0 Factories Based on the Ontology on Flexibility with using FlexSim Software". Management and Production Engineering Review. 11 (3): 74–83. doi:10.24425/mper.2020.134934.
  12. ^ Fan, Shu-hai; Zhou, Zhi; Shen, Qian (2009). "A Virtual MCQA Information System Based on Flexsim": 111–113. doi:10.1109/KAM.2009.50. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ Dallasega, Patrick; Rojas, Rafael A.; Rauch, Erwin; Matt, Dominik T. (2017). "Simulation Based Validation of Supply Chain Effects through ICT enabled Real-time-capability in ETO Production Planning". Procedia Manufacturing. 11: 846–853. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2017.07.187. ISSN 2351-9789.
  14. ^ Krenczyk, Damian (2012). "Data-driven modelling and simulation for integration of production planning and simulation systems". Selected Engineering Problems (3): 119–122. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  15. ^ "Robot". FlexSim Documentation. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
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  24. ^ Macleod, Kenny & Moody, Robert (March 14, 2017). "Chapter 31: Simulation modelling and analysis to test health systems". In Nestel, Debra; Kelly, Michelle; Jolly, Brian & Watson, Marcus (eds.). Healthcare Simulation Education: Evidence, Theory and Practice. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 209–213. doi:10.1002/9781119061656. ISBN 978-1-119-06159-5.
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  29. ^ Garrido, Joés M. (2009). Object Oriented Simulation. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4419-0515-4.
  30. ^ William B. Nordgren. “Flexible simulation (Flexsim) software: Flexsim simulation environment”, Proceedings of the 35th conference on Winter simulation: driving innovation, 2003.

Further reading

  • Beaverstock, Malcolm; Greenwood, Allen; Nordgren, William (2017). Applied Simulation: Modeling and Analysis Using FlexSim (5th ed.). Orem, UT: FlexSim Software Products, Inc. ISBN 978-0-9832319-5-0.
  • Pawlewski, Pawel; Greenwood, Allen, eds. (2014). Process Simulation and Optimization in Sustainable Logistics and Manufacturing. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-07347-7.
  • Law, Averill M. (2006). Simulation Modeling and Analysis (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Science. ISBN 978-0-07-329441-4.

External links

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