Make Changes to Submodel

In the TutorialSubmodel.vsd file you will see three activities that detail the subprocesses that occur in the main model's Op 30 Install PCB activity. The PCB is aligned on its frame, screws are attached, and the install is completed by connecting wires and testing the continuity.

 

Previously in the main model, the entire Op 30 Install PCB activity used a N(40,5) distribution for its time. The submodel gives more detail to the time required to install the PCB, where the first two activities have fixed times of two minutes and five minutes respectively and the final activity has a distribution of N(33,3) for its activity time.

Entity Arrival and Exits

An Assy entity is defined in the submodel. It is present so our submodel can initially be simulated independently of its main model; however, we would ultimately like to have our submodel receive its entities from the main model, process them, and then return them to the main model.

  1. Right click on the connection from the Assy entity to the Input Buffer and choose Properties.
  2. Check the Input to Submodel checkbox. Entities will now arrive in the submodel from the parent model. The connection will now say (From Parent).
  3. Click on the (Exit) route.
  4. In its properties dialog choose Output from Submodel. The connection now says (Exit) (To Parent). Entities exiting the submodel from this route will exit to the parent model, and re-enter the parent at the connection between Op 30 Install PCB activity and Op40 Inspect and Test.

Please Note: Be sure all calendar files are pointing to the correct path in the submodel using the Calendar button from the properties dialog or you may receive an error message that indicates, "Missing the calendar files" the next time you open your saved model.

Submodel Resource Usage

The submodel also has a Line Op 2 resource. The resource is present so the submodel may be run independently, and also so the resource may be selected in the properties dialogs for activity and routing processing. When the submodel is run independently, the properties for its Line Op 2 resource are used; however, when the submodel is used by a simulated main model, the properties for the main model's Line Op 2 resource are used.