FlexSim

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).

FlexSim
Developer(s)FlexSim Software Products, Inc.
Initial release2003
Stable release
23.2.0 / August 7, 2023 (2023-08-07)
Written inC++
Operating systemWindows 11 / Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7
Available inEnglish, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), Japanese
TypeSimulation software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.flexsim.com

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 on March 14, 2016, FlexSim transitioned to a year.update.bugfix versioning scheme.[2]

Notable FlexSim Releases and Features[3]
VersionRelease DateNotable Features
1.0February 2003Initial Release
2.0May 21, 2003Task Sequences
3.0February 2, 2005OptQuest integration, User Libraries
4.0March 7, 2007Fluid Library, FlexScript Model Logic (no need to compile C++)
4.5January 9, 2009FlexScript Bytecode
6.0March 23, 2012Multi-core Experimenter, FlexSim Web Server
7.0October 14, 2013Module SDK, 64-bit, Stereoscopic 3D
7.1March 10, 2014AGV and A* Modules
7.5January 28, 2015Conveyor Module
7.7November 23, 2015Process Flow Module, Virtual Reality
17.0December 12, 2016FlexScript Machine Code
18.0December 15, 2017People Module
18.2August 8, 2018Cloud-based Experimentation/Optimization
19.0January 4, 2019JT files import, bone direct animation
19.2September 5, 2019RTX mode for real-time ray tracing
20.1April 10, 2020HTTP FlexScript API
20.2August 11, 2020Agent Module
21.0December 4, 2020JSON FlexScript API, Chromium Embedded Framework
21.2August 9, 2021GIS Module, object templating system
22.0December 6, 2021Reinforcement learning tool
22.1April 4, 2022Python connector
23.2August 7, 2023Omniverse connector [4]

Usage

Manufacturing

FlexSim has been used in a variety of simulation projects involving both standard and flexible manufacturing systems.[5] Some examples include studies to determine optimal buffer sizes, optimizing blend components in feed production,[6] rescheduling 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]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FlexSim HC was used to analyze vaccination rollout efforts and improve patient flow at vaccination sites.[25] Outside of the traditional healthcare setting, FlexSim has been used to dynamically calculate and visualize radiation exposure.[26]

Academia

FlexSim has been used extensively in academic research and conference proceedings worldwide. The software package is usually taught as part of an industrial engineering or systems engineering curriculum, often in a Systems Simulation course; however, FlexSim has also been introduced as part of undergraduate or graduate coursework in manufacturing engineering, operations research, business management, health systems engineering, and nursing.

Other

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

  • Material handling: Conveyor systems, AGV, packaging, warehousing
  • Logistics and distribution:[27] Container terminal operation, supply chain design, distribution center work flow, service and storage layout, etc.
  • Transportation:[28] Highway system traffic flow, transit station pedestrian flow, maritime vessel coordination, custom traffic congestion, etc.
  • Others: Oil field or mining processes, networking data flow,[29] 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[30] 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.[31]

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. "FlexSim 2023 Update 2: NVIDIA Omniverse, USD, Restricted Models, and more". FlexSim. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  5. Tikasz, Laszlo G.; McCulloch, Robert I.; Pentiah, Scheale Duvah; Baxter, Robert F. (2012). "Simulation Tools to Complement Cast House Design and Daily Operation". Light Metals 2012. pp. 993–997. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-48179-1_173. ISBN 978-3-319-48570-6.
  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". 2008 Winter Simulation Conference. pp. 1761–1767. doi:10.1109/WSC.2008.4736264. ISBN 978-1-4244-2707-9. S2CID 3107244.
  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". 2009 Second International Symposium on Knowledge Acquisition and Modeling. pp. 111–113. doi:10.1109/KAM.2009.50. ISBN 978-0-7695-3888-4. S2CID 9348862.
  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. S2CID 51933201.
  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.
  16. Mihoubi, B; Gaham, M; Bouzouia, B; Bekrar, A (2015). "A rule-based harmony search simulation-optimization approach for intelligent control of a robotic assembly cell". 2015 3rd International Conference on Control, Engineering & Information Technology (CEIT). pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/CEIT.2015.7233172. ISBN 978-1-4799-8212-7. S2CID 16851230.
  17. "Crane". FlexSim Documentation. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  18. Wen, Charlie; Ekşioğlu, Sandra Duni; Greenwood, Allen; Zhang, Shu (2010). "Crane scheduling in a shipbuilding environment". International Journal of Production Economics. 124 (1): 40–50. doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2009.09.006. ISSN 0925-5273.
  19. "FlexSim HC version 1.0 has been released - FlexSim Community". FlexSim Community Archive. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  20. "Release Notes and History (19.1)". FlexSim Documentation. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  21. Wolford, Ben (2018-04-18). "Computer Simulation Can Improve Patient Flow". Birmingham Medical News. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  22. Thomas, James; Giannakopoulos, Allen J. (2014). "Employing Modeling and Simulation to Improve Patient Care" (PDF). S2CID 204845029. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  23. Abdulkadir, Atalan; Donmez, C.C. (2019). "Employment of Emergency Advanced Nurses of Turkey: A Discrete-Event Simulation Application". Processes. 7 (1): 48. doi:10.3390/pr7010048.
  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.
  25. Windsor, Matt (2021-03-04). "Simulations help vaccine rollout and cut the wait in UAB clinics". UAB Reporter. The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  26. Tompkins, G.H.; Kornreich, D.E.; Parker, R.Y.; Koehler, A.C.; Gonzales-Lujan, J.M.; Burnside, R.J. (2004). "Dynamic Radiation Dose Visualization in Discrete-Event Nuclear Facility Simulation Models". Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation Conference, 2004. Vol. 2. pp. 472–478. doi:10.1109/WSC.2004.1371496. ISBN 0-7803-8786-4. S2CID 9961278.
  27. Liu, Miaomiao; Dong, Mingwang (2008). "The Simulation Technology of Port Container Logistics System Based on Flexsim". Logistics. pp. 2547–2552. doi:10.1061/40996(330)376. ISBN 9780784409961.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. Garrido, Joés M. (2009). Object Oriented Simulation. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4419-0515-4.
  31. 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.
  • Qin, Tianbao (2013). Zhou, Xiangyang (ed.). 实用系统仿真建模与分析—使用Flexsim [Practical System Simulation Modeling and Analysis with Flexsim] (in Chinese). Beijing, China: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 978-7-302-31322-9.
  • Kim, Jun Woo (2019). 3D 팩토리 시뮬레이션을 이용한 생산 시스템 모델링 Handbook (FlexSim 소프트웨어 활용법 - 입문편) [Handbook of Production System Modeling using 3D Factory Simulation (FlexSim Software for Beginners)] (in Korean). Seoul, South Korea: Chungsol. ISBN 978-89-94364-67-4.
  • Law, Averill M. (2006). Simulation Modeling and Analysis (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Science. ISBN 978-0-07-329441-4.
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