ASIM Award Ceremony

ASIM Award Ceremony 2021

Last month the 19th Event of the Simulation Working Group (ASIM, “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Simulation”) took place, this year online for the first time. The ASIM is the largest European simulation conference for production and logistics and presents trends, current developments, scientific work, and interesting applications in the industry every two years.

The Simulation Working Group (ASIM) is a technical committee of the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI). The task of the ASIM is the promotion and further development of modeling and simulation in the basics and application as well as to improve the communication between theory and practice. Moreover, ASIM is a founding member of EUROSIM, the umbrella organization of European simulation societies. Therefore, the ASIM is the most important platform for developers and users of simulation in German-speaking countries.

Even though, this year the conference took place virtually the participation was as high as usual. There were approximately 180 participants who exchanged ideas in the topics of simulation in 4 parallel tracks and 70 specialist lectures.

As part of the conference the ASIM Jury calls for an outstanding thesis (Master, Bachelor or Diploma). This year, we congratulate our award winner Christina Gschwendtner from Söchtenau for her master’s thesis on simulation in construction. The main focus of the work is on the logistics of interior construction projects. As a loyal ASIM member, also this year InControl sponsored the award of €1.000,- together with SimPlan AG. 

(Christina Gschwendtner accepting her price virtually)

Software tool for development and planning of logistic nodes

Software tool for development and planning of logistic nodes

So far layout planning and logistics simulation have been used separately for the development and planning of logistics nodes. As part of the research project ‘ISI-Plan – Integration of discrete event logistics simulation and layout planning for logistical nodes’, together with partners, InControl developed an innovative simulation software tool that supports efficient and fast planning of logistical nodes, which is crucial for a needs-based expansion of the transport infrastructure.

Figure 1: Simulation Software Tool

By integrating the layout planning software together with simulation software the strengths of both tools are combined to eliminate the weaknesses and realize synergy effects. The software tool enables static layouts, created on a touch-sensitive and intuitive planning table, to be transferred directly into a functional dynamic simulation model with stored logistics strategies. Especially, these stored strategies are the main pillar of integration, as they represent the missing link between layout planning and simulation.

Results and benefits

The software tool enables terminal operators and planners to quickly plan operating scenarios and examine them. It enables to model the processes of the terminal systems e.g. crane systems, road networks, storage areas, transfer positions, and vehicles for loading units. Furthermore, it enables testing the performance of the system and investments can be analyzed in advance. The simulation results can be systematic and graphically processed and evaluated by the people involved in the planning. In this way, planners and operators can significantly shorten planning projects, realize increased planning quality and make statements about the expected performance of transportation terminals.

Figure 2: Touchtable Fraunhofer CML

The planning software visTABLE®touch from plavis and the simulation software Enterprise Dynamics® from InControl is used. Further project partners are the Fraunhofer CML, the Institute for Maritime Logistics (MLS) of the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH) and the Study Society for Combined Transport e. V. (SGKV). TriCon Container-Terminal Nürnberg GmbH (TriCon) and Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH (SBO) are involved as associated partners of the research project.

Would you like to know what InControl can do for you and your organization? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to tell you about our experiences and expertise.

Online seminar Simulation & Education

Online seminar Simulation & Education

Join us on Thursday the 21st of October for an insightful online German Seminar Simulation & Education.

During this seminar our simulation experts and guest speakers will discuss the following topics:

  • Digital Twin; the role of simulation in baggage handling at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
  • Simulation at HTL Leoben
  • Future developments of Enterprise Dynamics®


The program:

14:00 – 14:20            Welcome, introduction
Margit Thomsen, InControl
What does InControl do for their educational customers?

14:20–15:00               Digital Twin; the role of simulation in baggage handling at Schiphol
Harry Bunnik, InControl and Han Mackor, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

15:00 – 15:15            Break (15minutes)

15:15 – 16:00            Simulation at HTL Leoben                  
Dr. Thomas Messner, HTL Leoben, Austria
Experiences using Enterprise Dynamics® in simulation & education

16:00 –16:30             Enterprise Dynamics 10.4 release + Futures developments
Harry Bunnik, Product manager Enterprise Dynamics InControl                                                Han Mackor, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

16:30 – 17:00            Discussion – What do educational customers need from Enterprise Dynamics
Discussion with participants

 

 

Do you want to follow this online seminar? Register here! 

Please note that this Online Seminar will be in German. 

Simulation adds value to Education

Simulation adds value to Education

Inspiring online seminar for our Educational User Community

On April 29th a group of enthusiastic teachers from several Universities working and teaching with Enterprise Dynamics® attended our online seminar Simulation & Education. InControl received loads of positive reactions launching the simulation software Enterprise Dynamics version 10.4. Particular new features and the user-friendliness were mentioned.  

In the discussion about online teaching, the teachers expressed great appreciation of the free-of-charge Enterprise Dynamics Student Starter extended edition. InControl made this version available since universities and Applied Sciences Institutes closed their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    

A part of the new software release and the extended Student Starter edition, the following two subjects were presented: 

The first presenter was Mr. Koos van Overdijk from Avans University of Applied Sciences. He explained how they are using the Enterprise Dynamics program for many years. More than 150 students per year studying Industrial Engineering and Management uses InControl’s software program during Discrete Simulation courses. Where students have to design a soft drink factory in Enterprise Dynamics with all its features as part of a group project. Mr. Koos van Overdijk, has provided this inspiring course for many years and presented the ins and outs of this case and the way he shared his knowledge during the seminar.  

Thereafter, Mr. Han Mackor of Royal Schiphol Group and Mr. Harry Bunnik of InControl explained how a Digital Twin is created. What are the starting points and what steps do you need to take before you are even ready to run Digital Twin? To give insight into this process we elaborated on our approach to the baggage handling system of Airport Amsterdam Schiphol. How does Schiphol translate a suggestion to (re)design or improve a system or process into a realistic implementation using the advantages of simulation software? 

Are you interested in teaching with Enterprise Dynamics classroom?  

Become part of our active Educational User Community and discuss or share your knowledge and experiences with other lecturers. 

Just send an email or check our website.  

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EES implementation runs smoothly due to simulation software of InControl

EES implementation runs smoothly due to simulation software of InControl

Only a year to go and a new control system must be implemented at all external border locations in Europe. The EES will be mandatory from the  2022. EES stands for European Entry / Exit System and this system regulates the digital registration of all non-European passenger traffic. The stamps in passports will be part of the past and in addition to personal data, the registration and control of fingerprints and facial recognition will also be obligated.

The European member states are responsible themselves for the organization and registration of EES at their own external borders. Collaboration and innovation are  key words for a successful and, above all, smooth/seamless border control. It is and it will remain absolutely necessary to control border capacity both from a passenger and (FedPol) staff perspective. Border locations most of the time have to be (re)designed. This is important in order to guarantee the safety and security of the passengers and residents of the host country against pandemics, persons with terrorist motives or other calamities.

Predict passenger flows


InControl is an indispensable partner for predicting crowds at border areas: airports, seaports, cruise terminals and train stations. With the simulation models of InControl, passenger flows can be made transparent and therefore better monitored and enforced. Thanks to the software it is possible to create analysis, impact- and what-if scenarios, 2D and 3D models and relevant instructions for staff and passengers. With these forecasts safe and smooth/seamless passage of passengers is ensured.

Gain insights with predictive analysis of InControl


Every border location is different and the intensity of use of those locations differs per season, per week, per day and even per moment. During the holidays it is busier at the (air)ports and train stations. And as a widebody aircraft fly in from outside of Europe, there will be a peak moment that should be anticipated and addressed. By making this transparent in advance with simulation models, a lot of very important issues can be taken into account. For example the layout and size of the border area, the installation of counters, (mobile) kiosks and hiring of adequate and sufficient (FedPol) staff. With simulated models and scenarios you can prepare and fulfil a smooth border operation. In short, be prepared very specifically for the purchase of hardware, software and staffing.

The role of simulation software is extremely useful for capacity planning by predicting and limiting waiting times, for making cost estimates, and above all ensuring the safety of passengers and residents of Europe. We will support you to meet EES-ruling in an efficient and effective manner.

Would you like to know what InControl can do for you and your organization? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to tell you about our experiences and expertise.

InControl provides Bank of America Stadium simulation for walk-in vaccination project

InControl provides Bank of America Stadium simulation for walk-in vaccination project

The Bank of America stadium, Charlotte, NC, requested InControl to simulate the stadium to accommodate a relevant and actual purpose: walk-in vaccination center. The goal of the simulation is to ensure a more efficient COVID-19 vaccination process for right numbers of safe throughput, social distancing for queue lines that maximize safety and ensure more access.

By using simulation modeling you can reduce the frustration and confusion of those receiving vaccinations through predictive analytics. With these simulations the walk-through process is optimized taking process times, queues, and physical space for movement into account. The simulations include physical distancing to ensure a safe environment in which as many people as possible are vaccinated. We ran various scenarios to reduce the check in time and increased the number of check-in desks.

Figure 1: Overview meeting the physical distancing restrictions for fluid vaccination.

InControl has done previous simulations for the Bank of America stadium to investigate their options for a controlled opening of the stadium while minimizing health risks by taking physical distancing, pedestrian flows and the capacity into account.

With our own developed crowd simulation software Pedestrian Dynamics ® we have modeled the Bank of America stadium’s infrastructure and surrounding streets. We also add crowd behavior for efficiency of movement, evacuation and sheltering-in-place to the model. The simulation tool we have delivered is developed in such a way that trained event staff can update the model for specific events. This tool allows you to intelligently know the crowd management answers before you implement your live plan. InControl has conducted COVID-19 vaccination simulation models for clients around the world.

Figure 2: Check-in desks, while maintaining social distancing

Pedestrian Dynamics® is a leading crowd simulation tool that has been used for more than a decade to model large crowds in all types of infrastructure. Pedestrian Dynamics® helped answer questions about capacity, staff planning and training, keeping in mind the safety and comfort related to crowded places.

Cities and municipalities are struggling with organizational and financial hurdles due to the Corona crisis. InControl would like to get involved and support communities by not charging reduced the usual daily rates for simulation engineers for this type of projects.

If you need support with the test streets and / or vaccination routes, check capacity with the Pedestrian Dynamics® simulation software and / or model according to COVID-19 measures and guidelines including physical distancing in any environment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

InControl supports communities with corona test track simulation

InControl supports communities with corona test track simulation

During the Covid-19 pandemic, communities and municipalities in particular have to deal with many challenges. The preparation and planning of tests, training and vaccination locations are top of mind. Besides drive-in locations such as event centers, stadiums and public buildings have to be properly arranged, facilitated and people trained. 

Figure 1: Example of drive-in test facility

A municipality in Austria asked InControl to support the organization of test tracks by delivering data, plans and insights. In this case the planned tests and training staff facility is a combined elementary and middle school.

Simulation and visualization can support and improve decision-making processes; they can support and visualize the design and optimize key processes, costs and provide feedback during every stage. InControl contributes to the security issues and procedures as well. 

Test tracks for the upcoming Covid-19 swab tests has to be set up in a municipality in Austria and these should be evaluated and validated in advance. The thorough preparation is contributing to the test and training activities but forms a good set up for the vaccination activities as well. There are rooms available for this purpose at both schools, primarily organized on the ground floor. In this case a total of 6 test tracks are designed, planned and evaluated.

Figure 2: Middle and elementary school – test tracks 1 to 6

A test track includes: the outside waiting area, the registration and the test area. The flow of people should not cross, so separate entrances and exits and a marked route (one-way system) are specified in order to minimize personal contacts.

Figure 3: Example for test track 1 in detail

Compliance with the general distance rules and local protocols are taken into consideration in the entire test area and is also part of the simulation model and scenarios. In Austria, a personal indoor distance of 2 meters is applicable.

Information on the simulation with Pedestrian Dynamics® was made available to InControl by the municipality, based on both scientific and empirical values. So in this case the assumption was that 1000 people per day (8 hours) has to be tested. Another assumption is that no values for the arrival distribution has to be taken into consideration. The documents required for registration will be announced in the waiting area and can be verified too. The registration should take place in 2 till 5 minutes and in the test area 3 minutes are accepted at each station.

To analyze the routes, simulation runs were carried out in order to check the capacities and distance regulations. The assumption described above was refuted on the basis of the simulation results; only 60% of the people can be tested in 8 hours. The capacity check has shown in this case that there is a lack of time and staff. In addition to the simulation experiments, necessary changes in the process were discussed directly with the community and health care representatives and adopted in the test planning, routing, staff training and real time execution.

Pedestrian Dynamics® is a leading crowd simulation tool that has been used for more than a decade to model large crowds in all types of infrastructure. Pedestrian Dynamics® helped answer questions about capacity, keeping in mind the safety and comfort related to crowded places.

Cities and municipalities are struggling with organizational and financial hurdles due to the Corona crisis. InControl would like to get involved and support communities by not charging the usual daily rates for simulation engineers for this type of projects.

If you need support with the test streets and / or vaccination routes, check capacity with the Pedestrian Dynamics® simulation software and / or model according to COVID-19 measures and guidelines including physical distancing in any environment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Student using Enterprise Dynamics® Software successfully at Royal Schiphol Group

Student using Enterprise Dynamics Software successfully at Royal Schiphol Group

During my graduation project of the master Operations Management and Logistics at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) I conducted a research project at the Royal Schiphol Group. In my research I worked with the software of InControl Enterprise Dynamics to improve the trucks’ lead time designated for the air cargo handling. This software was preferred since Royal Schiphol Group already collaborated with InControl before. Besides, the software is suitable for the proposed model since it is able to develop discrete-event simulations, shows the flow of the trucks, and has the possibilities to analyze and visualize the model in 2D and 3D perspectives. Moreover, the TU/e provided a user license to the students for this software.

In more detail, my research investigated the flow of trucks arriving at five airport locations to pick up or deliver goods. Specifically, their waiting times at each location were evaluated for the current situation and how the waiting times would change with the adoption of a new concept. The new concept was called Drop and Collect and allows trucks to park their trailers at a truck parking until their goods need to be further processed. This concept ensures more control of the trucks’ flow and a just-in-time handling of goods when they are needed for the next stage of transport (e.g. flying to the next destination). Since a truck parking is added to the current situation, the trucks’ waiting times will change. Enterprise Dynamics was able to measure the change in time well. The design of my models consisted of three steps. Thereafter, the results were analyzed and evaluated.

First, I developed a simulation model of the current situation in the software. Before I started this research I had never worked with Enterprise Dynamics. However, a lot of information could be extracted from the InControl community where a lot of students had asked questions that were similar to my questions. Besides, tutorials and videos were available with basic models to compare and receive information. And what I really liked about InControl is that they were very accessible to ask questions.

Second, I developed additional models for five different scenarios of the Drop and Collect concept in Enterprise Dynamics. These scenarios were more complex than the current situation. Additional simulation objects were necessary to model these scenarios. Also changes in the behavior of the model was necessary. The new scenarios required a lot of capacity and processing constraints. These could be easily implemented using the Enterprise Dynamics Script language 4DScript.

Third, I run the models using the real data sets. During the development phase of the models I worked with small self-conceived data sets to build accurate models. After the models are validated and verified real data sets were used. Therefore, the corresponding trucks’ waiting times could be analyzed by running the models. The software was really helpful by analyzing and quantifying the trucks’ flows.

Last, the results of the simulation were evaluated and conclusions about the adoption of the Drop and Collect concept were drawn.

Overall, the software of InControl gave a good representation of the trucks’ flow at the airport and show where bottlenecks occur. The possibility to show the movements in 3D are very valuable for the understanding of the system and possible errors could be found more easily.

Are you interested in a thesis project about modeling with Enterprise Dynamics? The Enterprise Dynamics Pro license is an affordable license for students working on their bachelor’s or master’s thesis. Please find more information here or contact the research education team via email. 

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InControl’s crowd simulation supporting Transportation industry

InControl’s crowd simulation supporting Transportation industry

The transportation industry is facing a dramatic drop in passenger activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to ensure safe travelling for passengers and complying with physical distancing requirements InControl’s crowd simulation software Pedestrian Dynamics® has been used.  InControl simulation software predicts pedestrian flows and human behavior in a detailed way with high accuracy and processing large number of travelers.

Our software in 2D and 3D visualization models enabled business partner CGI and their end customers to get insights in several key questions, if and how to:

  • meet health legislation and protocols;
  • optimize schedules and capacity;
  • support management decisions and
  • organize the content of staff training.

Business partner CGI and InControl run several scenarios and delivered reports including What-If and Impact-scenarios and 2D and 3D visualizations.

Read the article of our business partner via this link.

Simulation for mechanical engineering and technical business administration

Simulation for mechanical engineering and technical business administration

For the graduation of two different courses it is the intention to optimize two different production processes. For the course in mechanical engineering at the HAN University of Applied Sciences the paint shop is optimized. Enterprise Dynamics is very suitable for this because during the process the new paint shop still had to be realized. By means of simulations, the most optimal control and product flow could be determined, making sure that the new paint shop could deliver good and efficient work from the start.

For the second course in technical business administration at Saxion University of applied Sciences, the goal is to determine whether it is profitable to implement a 3D print production in the process. The Enterprise Dynamics simulation model was used to determine the batch size for the 3D print process in order to produce as efficiently as possible and to maintain stock in the 2Bin system of assembly lines. On the basis of the results of the simulations it could be determined whether it is profitable to invest in the implementation of a 3D print production in the production process. Both assignments were carried out within the company Van Raam which is the global market leader in the production of customized bicycles for people with disabilities.

Robin Rust continuous using Enterprise Dynamics. Currently Robin Rust is following a Master Industrial Engineering & management at the University of Twente where he continues strengthening his knowledge in simulation.

Student Project: Optimization of a paint shop and 3D print process

Van Raam was founded in 1900 as a blacksmith’s shop in Amsterdam. In 1933 the first bicycles were made in Amsterdam. In the seventies the company moved to Aalten and started producing bicycle frames. In 1984 Van Raam was taken over by P. Boezel and started to specialize in the design and production of adapted bicycles and frames. In 2004 Van Raam moved to Varsseveld, after which it moved to its new premises in Varsseveld in early 2019. This building has a size of 13,500 square meters and has 150 employees. The Van Raam bicycles are all available as electric bicycles.

Van Raam is a family business and is the global market leader in the production of customized bicycles for people with disabilities or who are looking for more stability and security. Van Raam has been proclaimed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation as the fourteenth most innovative company in the Netherlands.

Figure 1.1: Model Easy-Rider-2

Figure 1.2: Model Fun2Go

At the beginning of 2019, Van Raam switched to a new and improved building. It was the opportunity to make big steps in the production process. For example, a completely new automated paint shop will be built and they were looking at how 3D printing can be implemented in the production process in order to create a constant flow.

The simulation software of Enterprise Dynamics was used to determine how these two innovations can best be used. Figure 1.3 shows the simulation used for the paint shop. This is structured as follows. In order to simulate a process as well as possible, all possible variations and demand patterns must be taken into account. The normal distribution is used for the capacity demand of the different assembly lines. The normal distribution is used to look at the reliability of a system. This is done by means of the standard deviation.

A requirement is that the employees of the spray booth work 85% of the day. In order to organise the flow of the paint shop as efficiently as possible, the outgoing products from the cooling tunnel have priority over the incoming products from the 1st part of the track.  The products from the cooling tunnel go either directly to the spray booth for the next layer, or first through the sticker lane, or to the assembly lines. By giving priority to these products, it is ensured that the products are occupied by the system and the employee(s) as soon as possible. This is also the reason why buffer 3 has priority over buffer 2 and buffers 2&3 again have priority over buffer 1.

In addition, the system has been designed in such a way that if batches are used, they will always stay together. When the first product of a batch passes a point where several products can enter at the same time, all other inputs are temporarily closed until the batch in question is complete.

The simulation of the 3D printing process is shown in Figure 1.4 and connects to the magazine and the assembly line. The simulation was used to find out how best to fill the 3D printer’s batch in order to produce as efficiently as possible and to maintain stock in the 2Bin system of assembly lines.

Through the simulation program, several scenarios were tested for a production time of more than 2400 hours. The best scenario is determined based on an optimal flow in which almost no intermediate stock is needed and all internal processes are well attuned. In the best scenario, only safety stock is used and Just in Time Delivery continues to be used, drastically reducing production time and stock levels. It will be easier to achieve a higher output.

Figure 1.3: Paintshop simulation

Figure 1.4: 3D-print simulation