Simulation Modeling Using Promodel Technology

PROMODEL’s simulation modeling products are powerful yet easy-to-use simulation tools for modeling all types of systems and processes. ProModel is designed to model manufacturing systems ranging from small job shops and machining cells to large mass production, flexible manufacturing systems, and supply chain systems. Other simulation products available from PROMODEL Corporation include MedModel, ServiceModel, Innovate, and ProModel PI (for process improvement). PROMODEL products are Windows based applications with intuitive graphical interfaces and object-oriented modeling constructs, eliminating the need for programming. They combine the flexibility of a general-purpose simulation language with the convenience of data-driven simulators. This paper provides an overview of ProModel and presents its modeling, analysis, and optimization capabilities. 1 OVERVIEW OF PROMODEL AND MEDMODEL ProModel is a simulation and animation tool designed to model manufacturing systems of all types quickly and accurately. Engineers and managers find the manufacturing oriented modeling elements and rule-based decision logic extremely easy to learn and use. This ease of use does not, however, come at the cost of flexibility; ProModel is capable of modeling even the most complex systems. Because it provides such an intuitive and straightforward approach to modeling, it is also attractive to professors in engineering and business programs who are interested in teaching modeling and analysis concepts without having to teach computer programming. While most systems can be modeled by selecting from ProModel’s complete set of modeling elements (e.g. resources, downtimes, locations, etc.) and modifying the appropriate parameters, complete programming capability is also provided if needed for modeling special situations. Built-in language features include if-then-else logic, Boolean expressions, variables, attributes, arrays and even access to external spreadsheet and text files. For those who prefer coding complex logic using a programming language such as C++ or Visual Basic, external subroutines may be dynamically linked to the model and called from anywhere inside the model at runtime. ProModel may also be controlled as a COM object, and run directly from external applications such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint, or from custom front-ends such as a VB interface. In this way, ProModel allows all members of the decision-making team to use the tools they are most comfortable with, providing total flexibility. ProModel also provides several built-in distribution functions, which, in conjunction with streams, return random values according to a statistical distribution. To aid the user in selecting an appropriate distribution for a data set, Stat::Fit is included with ProModel. Stat::Fit is a curve fitting software that fits analytical distributions to user data. Model development is completely graphical and object-oriented. To the greatest extent possible, all input is provided graphically with information being grouped by object type and presented in a “spreadsheet-like” format for quick and intuitive access. For example, when the modeler defines a machine the modeler can also define the machine’s icon, capacity, downtime characteristics, input and output rules, desired output statistics, etc. ProModel complies with Graphical User Interface (GUI) standards, which means that individuals familiar with other standard Windows programs such as word processors or spreadsheets will have no trouble learning how to use ProModel. This data input approach minimizes the learning curve for beginners and maximizes the efficiency for modifying large and complex models. A unique feature in ProModel is the ability to invoke pop-up menus, depending on the current context, that prompt the user in defining any statement or expression. This Logic Builder enables any expression or statement to be entered using only the mouse. It also eliminates the need to remember variable or other element names that us-