Add Objects to the Model

The Electronics Mfg Process already contains most of the objects that are needed to simulate this process: seven activities, four resources, one entity, and eight connections.

 

However, we still need to add another resource, Test Unit. We will also add a variable with a counter to track the work in progress (WIP) for the entire process.

Add a Resource

The Inspector resource works in conjunction with a Test Unit resource to inspect and test parts as they pass OP 40. However, our model does not yet contain a Test Unit resource, so we will add one to the layout now.

  1. From the Process Simulator Stencil, click on the Review (Activity) shape and drag it onto the layout above the Op 40 Inspect and Test activity.
  2. With the Review shape still selected, type Test Unit for its new name (you can also double click on the shape to change its name).
  3. Right-click on the Test Unit and select Resource from the right-click menu. This changes the shape type from an Activity to a Resource.

Add a WIP Variable

By adding a variable, called Assy_WIP, and incrementing its value when entities arrive in the process and decrementing the value when the entities leave, we can see how many entities are in the process at any given time during the simulation. Additionally, when the simulation is complete, we can view the average number of entities in the system.

  1. Open the Variables and Attributes dialog from the Process Simulator ribbon.
  2. Create a new variable named Assy_WIP.
  3. Define its Type as an Integer.
  4. Initial Value = 0.
  5. Stats = Time-Weighted.
  6. Check the Graphic check box, to display a counter for the variable on the Visio layout.
  7. Close the Variables and Attributes dialog, and then click and drag the counter graphic to position it below the Assy entity.

We will add the logic to increment and decrement the variable as the Assy entities arrive and leave the process later in the tutorial when we cover adding logic to the model.