Chapter Six
Simulation Modeling
with Arena
By: Mr. Getahun M.
Getting Started
● With Arena, you can:
● Model your processes to define, document, and
communicate.
● Simulate the future performance of your system
to understand complex relationships and identify
opportunities for improvement.
Cont’…
● Visualize your operations with dynamic animation
graphics.
● Analyze how your system will perform in its “as-is”
configuration and under a myriad of possible “to-
be” alternatives so that you can confidently choose
the best way to run your business.
Cont’…
● If Arena is not already running, start it from the
Windows Start menu and navigate to Programs >
Rockwell Software > Arena. The Arena modeling
environment will open with a new model window, as
shown below.
The Arena modeling environment
Cont’…
● To model your process in Arena, you’ll work in three
main regions of the application window.
● The Project Bar hosts panels with the primary types of
objects that you will work with:
● Basic Process, Advanced Process & Advanced
Transfer panels: Contain the modeling shapes,
called modules, that you’ll use to define your
process.
Cont’…
● Reports panel: Contains the reports that are available
for displaying results of simulation runs.
● Navigate panel: Allows you to display different views
of your model, including navigating through hierarchical
sub-models and displaying a model thumbnail view.
Cont’…
● In the model window, there are two main regions.
● The flowchart view will contain all of your model
graphics, process flowchart, animation, & other
drawing elements.
● The spreadsheet view displays model data, such
as times, costs, & other parameters.
The Basic Process Panel
● Create Module
● This module is intended as the starting point for
entities in a simulation model.
● The start of a part’s production in a manufacturing line.
● A document’s arrival (e.g., order, check, application)
into a business process.
● A customer’s arrival at a service process (e.g., retail
store, restaurant, information desk etc.).
Cont’…
● Dispose Module
● This module is intended as the ending point for
entities in a simulation model. Entity statistics
may be recorded before the entity is disposed.
● Parts leaving the modeled facility.
● The termination of a business process.
● Customers departing the store.
Cont’…
● Process Module
● This module is intended as the main processing
method in the simulation.
● Machining a part.
● Reviewing a document for completeness.
● Fulfilling orders.
● Serving a customer.
Cont’…
● Batch Module
● This module is intended as the grouping
mechanism within the simulation model.
● Batches can be permanently or temporarily
grouped.
● Temporary batches must later be split using the
Separate module.
Cont’…
● Batches may be made with any specified number of
entering entities or may be matched together based on
an attribute.
● Entities arriving at the Batch module are placed in a
queue until the required number of entities has
accumulated. Once accumulated, a new representative
entity is created.
Cont’…
● Collect a number of parts before starting
processing.
● Reassemble previously separated copies of a
form.
● Bring together a patient and his record before
commencing an appointment.
Cont’…
● Separate Module
● This module can be used to either copy an incoming entity
into multiple entities or to split a previously batched entity.
● Send individual entities to represent boxes removed
from a container.
● Send an order both to fulfillment and billing for parallel
processing.
● Separate a previously batched set of documents.
Cont’…
● Assign Module
● This module is used for assigning new values to
variables, entity attributes, entity types, entity
pictures, or other system variables.
● Multiple assignments can be made with a single
Assign module.
Cont’…
● Accumulate the number of subassemblies added to a
part.
● Change an entity’s type to represent the customer
copy of a multi-page form.
● Establish a customer’s priority.
Cont’…
● Record Module
● This module is used to collect statistics in the
simulation model. Various types of observational
statistics are available, including time between exits
through the module, entity statistics (time, costing,
etc.),
Cont’…
● General observations and interval statistics (from some
time stamp to the current simulation time). A count type of
statistic is available as well. Tally and Counter sets can also
be specified.
● Collect the number of jobs completed each hour.
● Count how many orders have been late being fulfilled.
● Record the time spent by priority customers in the main
check-out line.
Cont’…
● Data Modules
● Data modules are the set of objects in the
spreadsheet view of the model that define the
characteristics of various process elements, such
as resources and queues.
Cont’…
● Entity Modules
● This data module defines the various entity types
and their initial picture values in a simulation.
Initial costing information and holding costs are
also defined for the entity.
Cont’…
● Queue Modules
● This data module may be utilized to change the
ranking rule for a specified queue. The default
ranking rule for all queues is FIFO, LFO, lowest
attribute value and higher attribute value.
Cont’…
● Resource Modules
● This data module defines the resources in the
simulation system, including
● Equipment (machinery, cash register, phone line)
● People (clerical, order processing, sales clerks,
operators).
Cont’…
● Variable Modules
● This data module is used to define a variable’s
dimension and initial value(s).
● Variables can be referenced in other modules (e.g.,
the Decide module), can be reassigned a new value
with the Assign module, and can be used in any
expression.
Cont’…
● Schedule Modules
● This data module may be used in conjunction with the
Resource module to define an operating schedule for
a resource or with the Create module to define an
arrival schedule.
Cont’…
● Set Modules
● This data module defines various types of sets,
including resource, counter, tally, entity type, and
entity picture. Resource sets can be used in the
Process modules (and Seize, Release, Enter, and
Leave of the Advanced Process and Advanced
Transfer panels).
Cont’…
● Counter and Tally sets can be used in the Record
module. Queue sets can be used with the Seize,
Hold, Access, Request, Leave, and Allocate modules
of the Advanced Process and Advanced Transfer
panels.
Lab Exericse
Thank you!