Simcad Pro

Last updated
Simcad Pro
Original author(s) CreateASoft, Inc
Developer(s) CreateASoft, Inc
Stable release
Simcad Pro 15
Operating system Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
Available inEnglish
Type Process simulation
Website www.createasoft.com

Simcad Pro simulation software is a product of CreateASoft Inc. used for simulating process-based environments including manufacturing, warehousing, supply lines, logistics, and healthcare. [1] It is a tool used for planning, organizing, optimizing, and engineering real process-based systems. Simcad Pro allows the creation of a virtual computer model, which can be manipulated by the user and represents a real environment. Using the model, it is possible to test for efficiency as well as locate points of improvement among the process flow. Simcad Pro's dynamic computer model also allows for changes to occur while the model is running for a fully realistic simulation. It can also be integrated with live and historical data. [2]

Contents

Simulation software is part of a broader category of Industry 4.0 technologies, or technologies that move organizations to digitization of operations. [3]

Model Building

User Interface

Simcad Pro has a user-friendly graphical user interface for building virtual models of process-based environments, and the entire model can be built and edited without coding, including any advanced model characteristics. In addition to this, Simcad Pro allows for data import from almost any data source, including Microsoft Access, Excel, Visio, and SQL Server databases for easier model creation. Simcad Pro also supports real-time tracking using devices including RFID tags and barcode scanners. Simulations can then be viewed in either 2D or 3D.[ citation needed ]

Simulation Engine

Simcad Pro uses a patented simulation engine that is 64-bit and fully multi-threaded, distinguishing it from the SIMAN simulation engine used in many competing software products. [4] Models built with the Simcad engine feature patented "On-The-Fly" simulation, meaning that models can be manipulated, edited, and transformed as they are performing a simulation run. [5]

Applied Industries

Any industry engaged in a process-flow environment can use Simcad Pro to model their operations. The main industries where Simcad Pro is used are manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain & logistics, and healthcare. [6]

Manufacturing [7]

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate manufacturing operations, with the most common goals being to:

Simcad Pro supports high-mix manufacturing operations with the ability to model:

Warehousing [8]

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate warehouses and distribution centers, with the most common goals being to:

Supply Chain & Logistics [9]

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate supply chains and logistics operations, with the most common goals being to:

Healthcare [10]

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate healthcare operations, such as emergency rooms and operating rooms, with the most common goals being to:

Version History [11]

Version No.ReleasedMain Updates & Features
15Jan. 2022
  • Support for building SCARA robots, Gantry robots, and three-axis robots
  • Updated visual process effect editor
  • Automatically display color-coded process analytics
  • Updated interface icons
  • Updated library of process images
14.0Feb. 2020
  • Smart Entities
  • Interactive VR
  • Time Lapse Heat Maps, Spaghetti Diagrams, and Congestion Maps
  • Rack Density Analysis
  • Auto Rack Creation
  • Goods-to-Person Support
  • Moving/Mobile Robots
  • Faster Execution
13.0Mar. 2018
  • New and improved 3D engine with more light effects, shadows, and material support
  • Improved built in wizards to create fully functional racks, ASRS, allowing for dynamic rack and ASRS updates
  • Improved search and replace feature designed to simplify extension tracking and updates
  • Enhanced simulation engine to make better use of multi-core processors
  • Support for IGES/Step file format
  • File size optimization and enhanced base module support
  • Enhanced zoom and display support
  • Expanded external module import/export with support for base module controls
  • Speed improvement for large models (more than 3000 processes)
  • Additional Racks and Warehouse images
  • Tree based structure for the Internal Base modules
  • In addition to a number of fixes and improvements
12Jan. 2016
  • 64-bit simulation engine with no limitations on model size or complexity.
  • Improved model run time and simulation engine optimization.
  • Animated GIF files now supported in 2D. Animate people walking, interacting with equipment and equipment motion in 2D using the new .gif file support.
  • Improved Collision Detection
  • Improved Data Import sortation, filtering, and display
  • Improved VB Scripting and Debugging
  • Expanded and improved custom report generator with expanded support for Excel and Database integration
  • Improved window display and sizing
  • 3D file open/preview provides a quick preview of the 3D library; the 3D library includes people, machines, equipment, handling equipment, office and healthcare specific components.
  • Model Annotations now in 3D.
11.0Aug. 2013
  • Ribbon Style Interface
  • Dockable and Auto-Hide Windows
  • Expanded model area
  • Quick Access to multiple views for model validation and model settings
  • Pan Mode
  • Layer Designation
  • Improved module functionality
  • Toggle through overlapping connection lines
  • Quick Object and Process Access through expanded Model tree
  • Improved connection line control
  • Improved Collision Detection
  • Increased Simulation Speed
  • Improved Object Rotation and Positioning in 3D
  • Custom Distributions and Data Fitting
  • Ask User prompt for models that utilize Excel(R) files
  • Expanded resource utilization analysis
  • Soft Reset of Simulation Engine, resets data collection and re-initializes the engine useful to restart the data collection and reset model parameters
  • New reporting to capture data points at various intervals throughout the simulation. Useful to capture lead time, travel distance, and other statistics as objects progress from process to process
10.0Jun. 2011
  • SIMCAD ONLINE: With Simcad Pro Elite, users have access to Simcad Online, providing the ability to display the simulation model remotely via web interface
  • 3D Visualization now includes ANIMATED 3D Objects
  • Process and connection timing supporting rates on an object, weight and volume basis for continuous flow modeling
  • Improved shift definition interface, including the ability to define holiday schedules
  • SimTrack now allows timing merge
  • Model Image/Visual Push to Web Interface/Dashboard - User Defined Interval
  • Improved Process Timing definition
  • Process Routing can now be determined at various times during the sequence - critical for animated 3D objects
  • Improved Results Process update interval definition
  • Improved control over object disassembly
  • Improved user access to simulation date and time values
  • Schedule in report/spreadsheet format is now automatically generated
9.02008
  • New Interface to simplify model building steps and provide a simplified interface for basic vs. advanced modeling
  • Improved dynamic environment to allow for the addition of processes during the simulation run
  • Excel Import/Export Wizard
  • Scenario editor designed to simplify scenario analysis
  • Wizard tool to enable the addition of model constraints and parameters quickly
  • Improved 3D environment with added support for more file formats including SolidWorks 3D files
  • Rollback feature that keeps track of your changes and stores model revision
  • Resource schedule generator that provides the location and time spent per resource in a Gantt chart format
  • Model tree – Displays the tree version of the model including all the process and connection line properties
  • Advanced Conveyor controls
  • Visio integration
  • Process detail view with external document linking/connectivity
  • Enhanced displays for onscreen KPIs
8.0Jul. 2007
  • Identify, justify, and prioritize process improvement opportunities
  • Increase efficiency
  • Reduce receiving and put-away time
  • Optimize picking strategies
  • Identify optimal shipping schedules
  • Reduce cross traffic flow, improve safety, and increase efficiency
  • Design an optimized facility layout
  • Increase capacity and throughput without increasing costs
  • Increase project ROI and maximize return on process improvement spending
7.0Feb. 2005Initial release

See also [12]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simulation</span> Imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time

A simulation is an imitative representation of a process or system that could exist in the real world. In this broad sense, simulation can often be used interchangeably with model. Sometimes a clear distinction between the two terms is made, in which simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the simulation represents the evolution of the model over time. Another way to distinguish between the terms is to define simulation as experimentation with the help of a model. This definition includes time-independent simulations. Often, computers are used to execute the simulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logistics</span> Management of the flow of resources

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer-aided engineering</span> Use of software for engineering design and analysis

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is the general usage of technology to aid in tasks related to engineering analysis. Any use of technology to solve or assist engineering issues falls under this umbrella.

Process engineering is the understanding and application of the fundamental principles and laws of nature that allow humans to transform raw material and energy into products that are useful to society, at an industrial level. By taking advantage of the driving forces of nature such as pressure, temperature and concentration gradients, as well as the law of conservation of mass, process engineers can develop methods to synthesize and purify large quantities of desired chemical products. Process engineering focuses on the design, operation, control, optimization and intensification of chemical, physical, and biological processes. Process engineering encompasses a vast range of industries, such as agriculture, automotive, biotechnical, chemical, food, material development, mining, nuclear, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and software development. The application of systematic computer-based methods to process engineering is "process systems engineering".

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is a collection of best-practices for the development of new products and processes. It is sometimes deployed as an engineering design process or business process management method. DFSS originated at General Electric to build on the success they had with traditional Six Sigma; but instead of process improvement, DFSS was made to target new product development. It is used in many industries, like finance, marketing, basic engineering, process industries, waste management, and electronics. It is based on the use of statistical tools like linear regression and enables empirical research similar to that performed in other fields, such as social science. While the tools and order used in Six Sigma require a process to be in place and functioning, DFSS has the objective of determining the needs of customers and the business, and driving those needs into the product solution so created. It is used for product or process design in contrast with process improvement. Measurement is the most important part of most Six Sigma or DFSS tools, but whereas in Six Sigma measurements are made from an existing process, DFSS focuses on gaining a deep insight into customer needs and using these to inform every design decision and trade-off.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operations management</span> In business operations, controlling the process of production of goods

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arena (software)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">AnyLogic</span> Multimethod simulation modeling tool

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industrial engineering</span> Branch of engineering which deals with the optimization of complex processes or systems

Industrial engineering is an engineering profession that is concerned with the optimization of complex processes, systems, or organizations by developing, improving and implementing integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information and equipment. Industrial engineering is central to manufacturing operations.

Plant Simulation is a computer application developed by Siemens Digital Industries Software for modelling, simulating, analyzing, visualizing and optimizing production systems and processes, the flow of materials and logistic operations. Plant Simulation, allows users to optimize material flow and resource utilization and logistics for all levels of plant planning from global production facilities, through local plants, to specific lines. Within the Plant Design and Optimization Solution, the software portfolio, to which Plant Simulation belongs, is — together with the products of the Digital Factory and of Digital Manufacturing — part of the Product Lifecycle Management Software (PLM). The application allows comparing complex production alternatives, including the immanent process logic, by means of computer simulations. Plant Simulation is used by individual production planners as well as by multi-national enterprises, primarily to strategically plan layout, and control logic and dimensions of large, complex production investments. It is one of the major products that dominate that market space.

FlexSim is a discrete-event simulation software package developed by FlexSim Software Products, Inc. The FlexSim product family currently includes the general purpose FlexSim product and healthcare systems modeling environment.

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Prescriptive analytics is a form of business analytics which suggests decision options for how to take advantage of a future opportunity or mitigate a future risk, and shows the implication of each decision option. It enables an enterprise to consider "the best course of action to take" in the light of information derived from descriptive and predictive analytics.

Simcenter Amesim is a commercial simulation software for the modeling and analysis of multi-domain systems. It is part of systems engineering domain and falls into the mechatronic engineering field.

Predictive engineering analytics (PEA) is a development approach for the manufacturing industry that helps with the design of complex products. It concerns the introduction of new software tools, the integration between those, and a refinement of simulation and testing processes to improve collaboration between analysis teams that handle different applications. This is combined with intelligent reporting and data analytics. The objective is to let simulation drive the design, to predict product behavior rather than to react on issues which may arise, and to install a process that lets design continue after product delivery.

References

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  3. updated, Mike Moore last (2019-11-05). "What is Industry 4.0? Everything you need to know". TechRadar. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  4. "INTRODUCTION TO SIMAN" (PDF). Proceedings of the 1983 Winter Simulation Conference.
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  6. "Simulation Software - Process Simulation, modeling, optimization, Predictive Analytics". www.createasoft.com. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
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  8. "Warehouse Simulation with Simcad Pro".
  9. "Logistics Simulation with Simcad Pro".
  10. "Healthcare Simulation with Simcad Pro Health".
  11. "Press Releases - CreateASoft, Inc - Simulation and Digital Twin Software". createasoft.com. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  12. "System and method for dynamically simulating value stream and network maps". 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2018-09-17.