Create tokens using an Event-Triggered Source

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In FlexSim, most process flows begin with the creation of tokens,

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which are used to represent physical or abstract items flowing through a model.

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This involves setting the arrival method to control when and how tokens enter your process flow.

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The Event-Triggered Source activity is one of four token creation methods,

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and allows you to create tokens in response to an event during a simulation run.

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Typically, you select an arrival source in your Library, add it to your ProcessFlow,

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and then set the Quick Properties to meet the needs of your model.

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In this case, a process container is already setup in the ProcessFlow with an Event-Triggered Source included.

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Looking at the Model, in this example, the Source is set up to create a token in the Process Flow

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every time an item enters the Staging Queue.

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In the ProcessFlow, click the Event-Triggered Source to open the corresponding Quick Properties.

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In this case, the Object was set by clicking the Sampler button and then picking the Staging Queue in the 3D model.

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The Event type drop-down updates contextually, based on the selected object.

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Here, On Entry is selected.

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In the table, you see that the token will have a Label called “My_Item”.

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This can be set to the item in the 3D model, enabling you to see which item created the token.

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Close the Quick Properties.

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To see the simulation in action, select the Event-Triggered Source Dashboard,

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which will display the WIP for items arriving in the 3D model at the top,

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and below, the corresponding tokens arriving in the ProcessFlow.

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After reducing the Run Speed, click Reset, then click Run.

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As the simulation runs, you see that as tokens of a specific type, or color, enter the 3D model, the same type of token enters the ProcessFlow.

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If you Stop the simulation, here, you see a green token in the Enter Zone of the ProcessFlow

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and in the Staging Queue in the Model.

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Likewise, a blue token is in the Delay activity of the ProcessFlow and in the Processing Queue in the Model.

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Click Run again to continue viewing the simulation.

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Now that you know how to use the Event-Triggered Source activity to create tokens in response to an event in a simulation,

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take some time to review the remaining token creation methods, so that you can select the best method for your model.