ProModel MedModel ServiceModel Tip

Technique: How do you make a resource pick up more than one entity on a single trip?

There are occasions when a resource needs to pick up more than one entity on a single trip. The technique is not new, however, this question gets asked of ProModel’s support group every so often. So, it’s worthwhile repeating the technique. As Yogi Berra once said “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

By definition, a resource can carry only one entity at a time. On the surface, this appears to be limiting. However, by being clever, this can be changed so that a resource will actually carry multiple items. This is accomplished through the use of the Load and Unload statements.

You begin by creating a “base” entity that serves as the entity upon which the other entities are loaded. This base entity stays with the resource for the entire simulation. Next, route the base entity to all locations where other entities are to be picked up and perform a “load” at those locations. Then simply use the “unload” command at the drop off location, specifying the number to be unloaded.

Here are the statements to do this:

Statements

This technique can be used for manufacturing, medical or service applications alike. A slightly modified version of this, using variable load quantities is sometimes referred to as the “bus stop model.”

Using this technique will greatly enhance the usefulness and flexibility of your resources.

Process Simulator Tip

Technique: This article explains how to insert a graphic file or object and use it as a background page in your Microsoft Visio drawing.

How to Set Up a Background Page in Process Simulator
Many times when developing an attrative process flow, the modeler would like to place a background graphic to enhance its look and appeal. Sometimes, to effectively communicate, the proper background must be placed on the page. This is easily by a simple cut and paste action. However, sometimes, it’s frustrating to develop your process flow charts with a background because of accidentally selecting the background instead of another flow charting element. At times, it can be quite difficult and downright annoying having to work around that issue. So what’s to be done?

Here’s an easy modeling hint that will allow you to effectively place your background drawing on its own “layer” where it cannot be selected but will stil be visible when developing your models in the “foreground.” Follow these simple steps to accomplish this:

A flowchart drawing contains at least one foreground page and may also contain one or more backgrounds. A background is a page that appears behind another page. Because a background page can be shared by more than one page, you can create a background page when you want the same shape or shapes to appear on more than one page in your flow diagram. For example, you can place a common graphical element, such as a company logo, on a background. This element then appears on each page to which you assign the background.

To insert a graphic file or object from another program and use it as a background in your flow chart, follow these steps:

1. Start Process Simulator, and then open your drawing.

2. On the Insert menu, click Page.

3. Click the Page Properties tab, and then click Background.

4. In the Name box, type a name for your new background page.
(This name appears on the tab for your background page, located at the lower-left border of your drawing page window. )

5. On the other tabs of the Page Setup dialog box, set the options that you want for the page, and then click OK.
(Note that the changes that you make apply only to the currently displayed drawing page, not to the entire file. )

6. Do one of the following:

a) On the Insert menu, click Picture. Locate the picture that you want to insert, and then click Open or

b) In the Insert menu, click Object. In the Object type list, click the object that you want to insert, and then click OK.

To assign your new background page to a foreground page, click the tab of the foreground page that you want; this displays the page.
8. On the File menu, click Page Setup, and then click the Page Properties tab.

9. In the Background list, click the name of the new background that you created, and then click OK.

After you assign a background to a foreground page, you are able to view the shapes on the background page when you display the foreground page, but you are unable to edit the shapes on the background page from the foreground page.

To edit the shapes on a background, click the background page tab to display the background in your drawing page window, and then edit it the same way that you edit a foreground page.