Material Flow in Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation

 Material Flow in Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation

Project Files (GitHub) : nachikethboin/Material-Flow-in-Siemens-Tecnomatix-Plant-Simulation: Material Flow in Simple Production Line

Building Material Flow in Simple Production Line

1. Insert Material Flow Objects
• Source:
  Select the Source object from the toolbox and place it onto your frame.
• Tip: Double-click the source to open its properties—change the “Quantity” from -1 (infinite) to 100 so your simulation will stop after 100 parts are produced.
• Station:
  Similarly, place the Station object next in line. This represents your processing step.
• In the station’s dialog, you can adjust the Processing Time. Plant Simulation supports statistical distributions—set “mu” (mean), “sigma” (standard deviation), and even lower and upper bounds for realistic variability.
• Conveyors:
  Insert two Conveyor objects—one before and one after the station—by selecting conveyor from the toolbox and clicking your start and end points. Conveyors transport parts between processing steps.
• Double-click a conveyor to configure speed and acceleration.
• Drain:
  Place the Drain at the end of your line to collect parts and provide statistics.
• Connection:
  Use the Connector tool to link objects. Hold down Ctrl and click through the objects in order (Source → Conveyor → Station → Conveyor → Drain). Right-click or press Escape to finish.
2. Quick Connection Tip
   If you place objects right next to each other, Plant Simulation may automatically connect them, streamlining the setup.

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Running the Simulation

• Switch off planning view for a standard look.
• Click Play on the mini toolbar (or in the event controller) to start the simulation.
• Adjust simulation speed with the real-time factor slider or event controller settings.
• Use the event debugger for detailed event tracking.

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Reviewing Results

• Open the Drain dialog and view the Type Statistics for produced parts.
  For example, with the source set to 100, you’ll see a total throughput of 100 parts.

• The statistics tabs show detailed reporting, ideal for analyzing production efficiency.

 

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Expanding & Managing the Model

1. Multiple Successors & Exit Strategies
• Adjust your model so a station sends parts to two conveyors
• Open the station dialog, use the Exit tab, and change the Exit Strategy to “Random.” Now, parts are distributed randomly between multiple conveyors.
• Enable Blocking to control whether parts wait for a specific successor or proceed to any available one.

2. Hierarchical Modeling with Classes and Frames
• Objects in the Material Flow folder are classes. When you edit a class, all instances update.
• Duplicate objects by right-clicking and selecting “Duplicate.” Renaming and organizing these objects in the User Objects section makes management easier.
• Create new frames (model frame, glass box, black box) for modular and hierarchical design.
• Build complex machines as reusable frames, e.g. a machine with a buffer—update the class once, and all instances change automatically.

3. Buffer Example
• Insert buffers and stations into complex machine frames.
• Adjust buffer capacity to fit your production needs; changes in the class propagate instantly to all model instances, making what-if scenarios and scaling much faster.