Getting Started

6 The Flow Process Panel
To meet high-volume production requirements, manufacturing operations in the
consumer packaged goods industry usually involve semi-continuous batch processing
and/or high-speed packaging operations. While some of these operations can be
modeled using discrete approximations, often a better approach is required.
The Arena Flow Process template is one of a family of application solution templates
(ASTs) built on the Arena simulation system. The flowchart and spreadsheet data
modules in the Flow Process panel were designed specifically to model combined
discrete-continuous systems (for example, batch processing and material flow). If a
system contains semi-continuous batch processes as well as high-speed packaging or
filling operations, then it may be desirable to use modules from the Flow Process
template with those from the Packaging template.
The Flow Process panel is accessible to licensed editions of Professional
Edition.
Flowchart modules
Flowchart modules are the set of objects that are placed in the model window to
describe the simulation process.
Tank module
DESCRIPTION
The Tank module defines a location where material is held or stored.
The Capacity is the maximum quantity that may be stored in the tank. The Initial
Level is the quantity in the tank at the beginning of the simulation or when the system
is cleared.
The Regulators repeat group specifies a list of devices that may be used to add or
remove material from the tank (for example, valves or pumps) at a specified rate.
Semi-continuous flow operations may then be executed by discrete entities using the
regulators from the Flow module.
If a system contains both semi-continuous batch processes as well as high-speed
packaging or filling operations, then it may be desirable to use the Flow Process
panel with the Arena Packaging template. Enable the Packaging Input Connection
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