Feature List

Integrated 3D visualization and animation, fully customizable 3D object oriented drag-drop-connect environment Objects can use imported 3d media (.wrl, .3ds, .skp, .stl, .dxf) to give visual customization Import CAD layout as a model base Easy creation of custom libraries for re-use Great base class objects for development of new custom objects

Modeling Environment

Making modeling faster and easier: o sophisticated parameterized objects designed to model logistically complex systems o large number pre-configured behavior options with simplified interfacing o simple Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V duplication of single objects or sub-systems o customizable workspace o intelligent operator/transporter modeling concept, including path networks and dispatchers o interface for implementing scheduled and unplanned downtime Assign image files (png, jpg, bmp, tif) as a model base or object texture Discrete and Fluid object libraries included

Development Tools

Graphical User Interface Builder to build both custom model control and object interfaces Fully integrated debugging tools Flexscript coding uses c++ syntax Auto-completion hints while writing Flexscript code FlexSim command console for testing script, even during model run Intelligent Find/Replace widget Interfaces for simple creation of custom commands and global variables/macros Hierarchical tree view of model Open architecture; the platform itself is customizable DLL functionality for protecting C++ code, and linking to 3rd party optimization engines Genetic Algorithm integration assistance available for heuristic optimization Commands to auto-build models from parameterized data, such as an Excel file XML save features, allowing multiple developers to work on the same model simultaneously, as well as better integration with versioning management systems Engine is based on Visual C++ .NET framework, the language of Windows, providing endless integration opportunities (large foundation) Model size/run speed limited only by your pc hardware and operating system Integration with Excel (import, export, plus copy/paste directly to FlexSim GlobalTables)

Links to any database through ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) including Access, Oracle, DB2, MS SQL Server, MySQL, etc. Dynamic in-model and on-screen metrics FlexSim Charts module (Object Comparison, Gantt, Time Plot, Financial Report, etc.) Summary and State Report exports to Excel Dynamic file-write during model run

Input/Output Analysis Tools

Simulation Experiment Control module integrated with ExpertFit by Averill M. Law for statistical curve fitting of input data Set Model Layouts within a single model file Model Documentation widget OptQuest optimizer (this the only add-on)

Communication

Dynamic 3D animation Fly-path creation using Presentation Builder Embed presentation slides within your model AVI Maker to create videos of model runs (many free screen-capture tools available for other formats) Create model view presets Powerful Animation Creator

Connectivity

Perform database queries to import data into FlexSim using SQL Control FlexSim externally using COM communication (this includes OLE, ActiveX, etc.) DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) Integration with Visio Any connectivity that C++ offers

Licensing

Flexible licensing options using FLEXnet o Full Standalone License o Network License o Timed License o Educational License o Runtime License (typically for simulation deployment to an operational user) o Viewer (free download) Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions supported.

FlexSim model files are encrypted and can be password protected

General

First-class support, worldwide network Active user community forum Stable software, FlexSim GP first released in 2003

Flexsim
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
(March 2010)

FlexSim

Developer(s)

FlexSim Software Products, Inc.

Stable release

6.0.2 / August 3, 2012; 2 months ago

Operating system

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

License

Proprietary

Website

FlexSim product page

FlexSim is a discrete event manufacturing simulation software developed by FlexSim Software Products, Inc. The FlexSim family currently includes the basic FlexSim simulation software and three product lines facing different customers established upon the basic FlexSim, including the FlexSim distributed simulation system (FlexSim DS), FlexSim container terminal library (FlexSim CT) and FlexSim Healthcare Simulation (FlexSim HC). It uses OpenGL environment to realize real-time 3D rendering and it is declared to be the only simulation software that incorporates C++ IDE and compiler in the graphic modeling environment.

Contents
[hide]

1 The Company and history 2 Application and Uptake 3 Object Oriented 4 Expertfit comes bundled with Flexsim 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] The Company and history

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 [1] owned and developed by Holland's F&H Simulation B.V (F&H Holland). In 1998, F&H Holland developed the first generation 3D object oriented simulation engine Taylor ED (Enterprise Dynamics). F&H Simulations assisted with the development of robust objects for use in Taylor ED. In 2000, F&H Holland was acquired. F&H Simulations became independent and continued by Dr. Eamonn Lavery and Anthony Johnson. F&H Simulations, Inc. changed its name to FlexSim Software Products, Inc. and started to develop its own 3D simulation software, known now as FlexSim.[2] FlexSim 1.0 was released in February 2003. The software is constantly updated since then. The most recent of FlexSim release is version 6.0.2 released on August 3, 2012. As highly customized application oriented package, FlexSim CT was developed for operation in container terminal and released in 2006. Afterwards, FlexSim DS was developed for distributed simulation system, mainly serving for military and FlexSim HC was developed for healthcare simulation. Flexsim Software Products, Inc. headquarter is located in Orem, Utah, U.S.A.

[edit] Application and Uptake

As general purpose simulation software, FlexSim is widely used in many fields:

Manufacturing [3]: Production assemble line, Logistics and distribution [4]: Container terminal operation, supply chain design, distribution center work flow, service and storage layout, etc. Transportation [5]: Highway system traffic flow, transit station pedestrian flow, maritime vessel coordination, custom traffic congestion, etc. Others: Oil field or mining process, networking data flow,[6] etc.

FlexSim is used by many large companies engaged in simulating in different applications. The firms, including manufacturing companies, such as Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, Boeing, Michelin, etc., logistic companies, such as FedEx, DHL, APM Terminals, etc., transportation companies, such as Norfolk Southern, etc., and many others.

[edit] Object Oriented

FlexSim uses object oriented design as its software structure, and the FlexSim objects [7] are defined and programmed in four classes: fixed resource class, task executer class, node class and visual object class.

Fixed resource class: this is the major objects of the simulation and determines the flow of the simulation model, including source, queue, processor, sink, conveyor, etc.; Task executer class: the objects inherited from this class obtain tasks from the objects inherited from fixed resource class and assign the tasks to other objects, including operator, transporter, etc.; Node class: the objects inherited from this class are used to design the working route of objected inherited from task executer class, including network node and traffic control; Visual object class: the objects inherited from the class are used to display and collect the input/output message, icon, diagram and tables.

User can build the model by dragging and dropping the abstracted predefined 3D objects from different classes to layout, link and functionalize the model. For the senior users, the entire dragging and dropping procedures can be realized and the object parameters and behaviors can be modified using both FlexScript and C++ programming languages.[8]

[edit] Expertfit comes bundled with Flexsim

The "ExpertFit" Distribution-fitting software was developed by Dr. Averill M. Law, who is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on simulation and distribution fitting. ExpertFit has the most comprehensive set of features:

Allows you to use 40 different distributions. Provides more than 30 high-quality graphs and four technically correct goodness-of-fit tests. Allows multiple distributions on a plot. Batch-mode capability for analyzing a large number of data sets.

Expertfit is included free with every full Flexsim license.

[edit] See also

Comparison of agent-based modeling software List of computer simulation software

List of discrete event simulation software Computer simulation

[edit] References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ^ William B. Nordgren. "Taylor II manufacturing simulation software". In Proceedings of the 27th Conference on Winter Simulation, IEEE Computer Society, Washington, DC, 401404, 1995. ^ FlexSim online company history website ^ Erol Gelenbe, Hatim Guennouni, "FlexSim: A flexible manufacturing system simulator", European Journal of Operational Research, Volume 53, Issue 2, July 25, 1991, Pages 149165. ^ Liu, Miaomiao; Dong, Mingwang (2008). "The Simulation Technology of Port Container Logistics System on Flexsim". ASCE Conference Proceeding 330: 25472552. doi:10.1061/40996(330)376. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ Garrido, Jos M. (2009). Object Oriented Simulation. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4419-0515-4. ^ William B. Nordgren. Flexible simulation (Flexsim) software: Flexsim simulation environment, Proceedings of the 35th conference on Winter simulation: driving innovation, 2003.

7. 8.

[edit] External links

FlexSim FlexSim Community

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