Agent Based Simulation with Visual Components

[Ayodeji]

Hi everyone, I am a new user of Visual Components Software.

I would like to ask if Visual Components Software supports Agent Based Modelling or Simulation paradigm. I have search through the visual components academy courses and also help documentation, but I have not been able to find an explicit reference on how to build an Agent Based Simulation Model in Visual Components software.

I would appreciate if anyone could give some useful insight or references to guide on how to develop an Agent Based model in Visual Components.

@TSy
@Tilma
@idkfa
@ChuckViper

[Ayodeji]

Hello guys,

Would be glad if any body can provide some insights to this question.

Regards.

[idkfa]

Organize the various WorkProcesses using PM ProcessNode, move the ProcessNodes to the same block (WorkStation). This way, a single WorkStation will contain multiple WorkProcess (ProcessNodes), allowing you to simulate the theory of a WorkStation containing different WorkProcess as described in the research paper.

[Ayodeji]

Thank you very much for your reply @idkfa

I have applied a method similar to the one you described for to represent a WorkStation that contain multiple WorkProcess. However, I used a single ProcessNode with Multiple Processes on each work station as shown below.

I have applied ReserveProduct statement and filters to assign a product to a particular process on each WorkStation. Up to this moment the simulation works fine.

I want to implement a more flexible control system for the product routing. This might require an agent based approach as described in the research paper.

Do you think it is possible to implement an agent based modeling approach in VC? I have been studying the VC documentations and tutorials but I have not been able to see any explicit reference on agent based modelling with VC.

I would appreciate if you can give any suggestion regarding this.

Regards.

[idkfa]

In your previous post, TSy’s tip should perfectly fit your needs. If you need a sample, check the PM Warehousing component; that’s a good example for controlling feed and need by Python API.

Process Flow Editor for Single Product Across Multiple Parallel Flows

You don’t need a flow sequence if you create and manage the product feed objects yourself from Python script instead of using TransportOut statetements. This is because when creating a product feed you can specify arbitrary list of possible process ids where the product can get matched to go to. There doesn’t even have to exist a process with that process id, just a product need that you can also create from Python script. https://help.visualcomponents.com/4.9/Premium/en/Python_API/vcProductMa…

[Ayodeji]

Thanks very much for your reply, I have been reading through the python script documentation regarding the @TSy tip.

I think a sample would make things more clear for me. I use VC Premium 4.8 version, and I have attached the screenshot of the PM warehousing below

Could you please identify which of the PM Warehousing component that fit the description. I checked the python scripts for each of the components, but none seems to be controlling feed and need by Python API.

Regards.

[idkfa]

All of them, search “addNeed” and “addFeed”

[Ayodeji]

I’ve seen it. Thanks very much. Will ask more questions if I have some doubts.

Regards.