Simulation Packages
Students will work in the same groups of three to four to review a new simulation package, and carry out a number of small simulation studies using the package. In week 7 of the course, we will compare and contrast the different packages, and look at the strong and weak points of different simulation tools.
The (mostly commercial) tools with a graphical user interface for model building we use for the course are:
- Simio (discrete-event; full license available)
- Plant Simulation (discrete-event; full license available)
- Enterprise Dynamics (discrete-event; full and student license available)
- JaamSim version 2024.06 (open source, Java-based; drag-and-drop user interface)
- AnyLogic (discrete-event and agent-based; student license available)
- Arena (discrete-event; student license available)
- AutoMod (discrete-event (quite old...); student license available)
- ExtendSim (discrete-event; demo license available)
- FlexSim (discrete-event; trial license available), download FlexSim_7.3.6_x86.zip
- ProModel (discrete-event; demo license available)
- GPSS: One of the oldest discrete-event simulation packages (discrete-event; student license; limited model building interface), download GPSS World Student Setup.msi
Note that the packages with demo or trial licenses might be harder to work with in terms of the assignments than the packages with a full license or a student license.
For the following packages, the models are built by programming. Packages that are recommended for the course are:
- NetLogo 6.4.0 (open license; Agent-based)
- Salabim (open source, Python-based)
- SimPy (open source, Python-based discrete-event simulation)
- MESA (open source, Python-based, Agent-based modeling)
- GAMA (open source, Java-based, Agent-based modeling with a GUI)
- DSOL (open source, Java-based)
- pydsol-core (open source, Python; also see pydsol-flow)
- Repast Symphony (open source, Java-based, agent-based modeling)
- DESMO-J (open source, general purpose, Java-based)
- CiwPython (open source simulation of queuing networks, Python-based)
- Furthermore, any of the Agent-based simulation tools from the Paper Abar et al. (2017), "Agent-based Modelling and Simulation Tools, A review of the state-of-the-art software", Computer Science Review 24, p. 13-33 can be studied. Discuss this with the teacher before you start, though.
Plan
The plan for using the simulation software is as follows:Week 1: group formation; choosing the simulation package
Week 2: installation, learning about the package, running demo models
Week 3: implementing a small queuing model
Week 4: implementing animation into the model
Week 5: implementing more detailed behavior into the model
Week 6: scoring the simulation package for multi-formalism use
Week 7: discussion of the merits of the simulation package i.r.t. others and comparing packages
Simio
| Name | Simio |
| Vendor | Simio |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Drag-and-drop, schematic programming |
| Typical use | Logistics, transport, health care, warehousing, business, energy, oil&gas, scheduling, general purpose |
| TU License | Full license available |
| Operating systems | Windows-10 and higher |
| Website | https://www.simio.com |
| Local download | Simio-16.255.34527.zip (600 MB) |
| External download | https://www.simio.com/download/simio.php |
| Installation instructions | Unpack the zip-file; run "setup.exe". A trial version is now already available. Follow the instructions in this file for linking to the TU Delft license server Installation instructions Simio.pdf. |
| Vendor notes | Simio 16 Installation Notes.pdf |
Arena
| Name | Arena |
| Vendor | Rockwell Software |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Drag-and-drop |
| Typical use | Logistics, transport, health care, warehousing, business, general purpose |
| TU License | Student license available |
| Operating systems | Windows-7 and higher (32-bit and 64-bit installation files). |
| Website | https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products/software/arena-simulation.html |
| Local download | Arena_16.20.03.306_x64.zip (1.3 GB) Please note that the 64-bit version of Arena might be incompatible with the 32-bit version of Office. |
| External download | Use the Rockwell Software website link above, and ask for a trial license. |
| Installation instructions | Unpack the zip-file; run "autorun.exe" in the MediaImage folder. A trial version is now available that allows smaller student models to be built. If you run into limits, build smaller partial models to see how Arena would allow you to tackle certain modeling challenges. Or switch to JaamSim that is pretty similar, but open source and unlimited in terms of model size. |
Plant Simulation
| Name | Tecnomatix Plant Simulation |
| Vendor | Siemens |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Drag-and-drop, limited programming |
| Typical use | Warehousing, automobile industry, manufacturing, logistics, transport |
| TU License | Full license available |
| Operating systems | Windows-7 and higher (64 bits only) |
| Website | https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/products/manufacturing-planning/plant-simulation-throughput-optimization.html |
| Local download | PlantSimulationSetup.msi (Plant Simulation v16 / 2201) (1.2 GB) |
| External (student) download |
Use the provided version 16 (2201) above if possible -- Version 2301 might not correctly use the license server. https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en/academic/resources/tecnomatix/simulation-download.cfm |
| Installation instructions | See Plant Simulation Installation version 16 (2201).pdf. |
Enterprise Dynamics
| Name | Enterprise Dynamics |
| Vendor | InControl Simulation |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Drag-and-drop, some programming in 4DScript |
| Typical use | Warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, transport, airports, luggage, pedestrian |
| TU License | Full license available |
| Operating systems | Windows-7 and higher (32 or 64 bit -- if possible use 64-bit) |
| Website | https://www.incontrolsim.com/ |
| Local download | ED64_v10.6.0.3437--setup.exe (290 MB file) |
| External download | https://support.incontrolsim.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55 |
| Installation instructions | See Installation instructions Enterprise Dynamics.pdf for how to link to the license server |
ExtendSim
| Name | ExtendSim |
| Vendor | Imagine That Inc. |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Graphical, hierarchical interface with scripting |
| Typical use | Business, chemical, mining, networks, food, health, logistics, supply chain, transport, manufacturing, general purpose |
| TU License | 10 full academic licenses available; free demo version; $25 student version |
| Operating systems | Windows-7 and higher (32 and 64 bit) |
| Website | https://www.extendsim.com/ |
| Local download (Windows demo) | ExtendSim9Demo.exe (200 MB) |
| Local download (Academic version) | ExtendSim9AcademicNetwork.exe (200 MB) |
| Installation instructions | Run the executable file. The demo version can be used without a license. The academic version needs further instructions to link to the license server. Therefore start with the demo version; is is sufficient for most of the assignments to be done for the course. |
Anylogic
| Name | Anylogic |
| Vendor | Anylogic Simulation |
| Type | Commercial simulation package; combines Discrete Event, Agents and System Dynamics |
| User interface | Templates, coding, and some drag-and-drop |
| Typical use | Supply chain, pedestrian, logistics, transport, airports, health, business, general purpose |
| TU License | Student license (limited); One full academic license available for large models |
| Operating systems | Windows-7 and higher (32 and 64 bit), Linux, Apple Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later |
| Website | https://www.anylogic.com/ |
| Local PLE download (Windows) | anylogic-ple-8.9.1.x86_64.exe (1.1 GB) |
| External (PLE) download, also for Mac/Linux | https://www.anylogic.com/downloads/personal-learning-edition-download/ |
| Installation instructions | Run the executable file. The Personal Learning Edition (PLE) can be used by students without a license. |
| Info: |
https://www.anylogic.com/resources/case-studies/ for case studies https://www.anylogic.com/resources/white-papers/ for white papers https://www.anylogic.com/resources/educational-videos/ for videos https://www.anylogic.com/resources/books/ for books https://anylogic.help/ for help |
AutoMod
| Name | AutoMod |
| Vendor | Applied Materials |
| Type | Commercial simulation package |
| User interface | Graphical, some scripting for detailed behavior |
| Typical use | Warehousing, conveyors, transport, manufacturing |
| TU License | Student version |
| Operating systems | Windows-Vista and higher (32 bit) |
| Website | https://www.appliedmaterials.com/global-services/automation-software/automod |
| Local download (Windows demo) | automod_studentversion126.zip (150 MB) |
| External download | https://www.appliedmaterials.com/global-services/automod-academic-program |
| Installation instructions | Extract the zip-file and run the file "AutoMod_12.6.1.12.exe". The student version can be used without a license. |
| Vendor notes | aminstall.pdf |