Arena_Basics

Asl Sencer ErdemSlide *Graduate Program in Business Information Systems

BIS 517Simulation with ArenaPart 1

Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Behavior of ArenaArena is a true Windows applicationAppearance, operation, functions, are standardInteroperability with other software (MS Office, CAD)Can interact, communicate with other softwareAssume you already know basics of Windows:Disks, files, folders, pathsMousing, keyboardingResizing, moving, maximizing, minimizing windowsMenu operationsCtrl, Alt, Shift keysCut, copy, pasteFilling out dialog fields

Chapter 3 A Guided Tour Through Arena

Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Starting UpInstalling Arena Appendix ELocate icon or shortcut; double-clickAlso Start/Programs/Rockwell Software/Arena/Arena iconLicensed vs. Academic, Evaluation modeSee File, View, Tools, Help menusOther menus present if a model file is openToolbars with buttonsUnless a model file is open, only New model file, Open model file, Template Attach/Detach, Context Help (click it, then click on buttons or menu items)Tooltips roll over toolbar buttons for namesQuitting Arena: File/Exit or Alt+F4 or top right button


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Opening an Existing ModelFile/Open or buttonNavigate to desired disk/directoryClick/Open or double-click Model 03-01.doeBook examples in Rockwell Software\Arena\Arena BookAdditional examples in Rockwell Software\Arena\ExamplesModel window (usually on right side of Arena window)Where model is builtResize, maximize, minimize, scroll/pan, zoomCan have multiple model windows open at onceCut, Copy, Paste within Arena, and between Arena and other applications (when sensible)Why the .doe default extension to Arena model filenames?


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Flowchart and Spreadsheet ViewsModel window split into two viewsFlowchart viewGraphicsProcess flowchartAnimation, drawingEdit things by double-clicking on them, get into a dialogSpreadsheet viewDisplays model data directlyCan edit, add, delete data in spreadsheet viewDisplays all similar kinds of modeling elements at onceMany model parameters can be edited in either viewHorizontal splitter bar to apportion the two viewsView/Split Screen (or ) to see only the most recently selected view


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Project BarUsually down the left edge of Arena windowHosts panels with modeling building blocks: modulesBoth flowchart and spreadsheet modulesDisplays one panel at a timeSwitch to different panels via horizontal buttonsPanels for Basic Process, Reports (after running), Navigate (to different views within a model or to different hierarchical submodels), others can be attached (Template Attach button ) for different modeling levels, specialtiesUsually docked to left edge but can move, floatCan hide it via View/Project Bar or its own small


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Status BarAt very bottom of Arena windowDisplays various information sensitive to statusCoordinates of cursor in worldspaceClock value, replication number when simulation is runningHide it by clearing (unchecking) View/Status Bar


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlideMoving Around, Up, Downin Flowchart View of Model WindowUnderlying world space for model(x, y) coordinates in arbitrary units (> 32K in each direction)Pan with scroll bars, arrow keysZoom in (down): or + keyZoom out (up): or keySee all at min altitude: or * keyNamed viewsSave a pan/zoom view for different parts of modelAssign a Hot key (case-sensitive)Access via View/Named Views or ? keyDisplay grid ( ), snap to grid ( ) toggles


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *ModulesBasic building blocks of a simulation modelTwo basic types: flowchart and dataDifferent types of modules for different actions, specificationsBlank modules are on the Project BarTo add a flowchart module to your model, drag it from the Project Bar into the flowchart view of the model windowCan have many instances of the same kind of flowchart module in your modelTo use a data module, select it (single-click) in the Project Bar and edit in the spreadsheet view of the model windowOnly one instance of each kind of data module in your model, but it can have many entries (rows) in the spreadsheet view


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Flowchart ModulesDescribe dynamic processesNodes/places through which entities flowTypically connected to each other in some wayBasic Process panel flowchart module types:Create, Dispose, Process, Decide, Batch, Separate, Assign, RecordOther panels many other kindsShape like flowcharting (also use colors for hints)Two ways to editDouble-click to open up, then fill out dialogsSelect (single-click) a module type in model or Project Bar, get all modules of that type in the spreadsheet view


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Data ModulesSet values, conditions, etc. for whole modelNo entity flow, no connectionsBasic Process panel data module types:Entity, Queue, Resource, Variable, Schedule, SetOther panels many other kindsIcons in Project Bar look like little spreadsheetsTo use a data module, select it (single-click) in the Project Bar, edit in spreadsheet viewDouble-click where indicated to add new rowRight-click on row, column to do different thingsOnly one instance of each kind of data module in a modelBut each one can have many entries (rows)


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Relations Among ModulesFlowchart and data modules are related via names for objectsQueues, Resources, Entity types, Variables othersArena keeps internal lists of different kinds of namesPresents existing lists to you where appropriateHelps you remember names, protects you from typosAll names you make up in a model must be unique across the model, even across different types of modules


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Browsing Through Model 3-1Open Model 03-01.mod (in Arena Book folder)Three flowchart modules (Create, Process, Dispose)Entries in three data modules (Entity, Queue, Resource)Animation objectsResource animationTwo plotsSome (passive) labels, artwork


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *The Create Flowchart ModuleBirth node for entitiesGave this instance of the Create-type module the Name Part Arrives to SystemIf we had other Create modules (we dont) theyd all have different NamesDouble-click on module to open property dialog:


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *The Create Flowchart Module (contd.)Name for module (type it in, overriding default)Entity Type enter a descriptive nameCan have multiple Entity Types with distinct namesTime Between Arrivals areaSpecify nature of the time separating consecutive arrivalsType pull-down list with several optionsValue depends on Type for Random (Expo) is meanUnits time units for ValueEntities per Arrival constant, random variable, very general Expression (more later )Max Arrivals choke off arrivals after this many entitiesFirst Creation time of first arrival (need not be 0)


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *Editing Flowchart Modules in the Spreadsheet ViewAlternative to dialog for each instance of a module typeSee all instances of a module type at onceConvenient for seeing, editing lots of things at onceSelecting a module in either flowchart or spreadsheet view also selects it in the other viewClick, double-click fields to view, editRight-click to on left margin to delete a row (and the associated module)Right-click in many fields to invoke Expression Builder for help on constructing complex expressions with Arena variables (more later )


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *The Entity Data ModuleA data module, so edit in spreadsheet view onlyView, edit aspects of different kinds of entities in your model (we have just one type, Part)Pull-down lists activated as you select fieldsOur only edit Initial Picture for animationWe picked Picture.Blue Ball from the default list


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *The Process Flowchart ModuleRepresents the machine, including the resource, queue, and entity delay time (processing)Enter Name Drilling CenterType picked Standard to define logic here rather than in a submodel (more later )Report Statistics check box at bottomTo get utilizations, queue lengths, queue waiting times, etc.


Simulation with ArenaChapter 3 A Guided Tour Through ArenaSlide *The Process Flowchart Module (contd.)Logic area what happens to entities hereActionSeize Delay Release entity Seizes some number of units of a Resource (maybe after a wait in queue), Delay itself there for the processing time, then Release the units of the Resource it had Seized we chose this optionCould just Delay entity (red traffic light) no Resources or queueingCould also Seize Delay (no Release Release downstream) or Delay Release (if Resource had been Seized upstream)Priority for seizing lower numbers mean higher priorityDifferent Action choices could allow stringing together several Process modules for modeling flexibilityResources define Resource(s) to be seized, releasedDouble-click on row to open subdialogDefine Resource Name, number of units to be Seized/ReleasedSeveral Resources present (Add) entities must first Seize all


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Arena_Basics