AGV paths are the actual paths that AGVs will travel on as they move from one location to another. For that reason, adding a set of paths is generally the first step in building an AGV network.
For the most part, AGV paths can be added, moved, resized, etc. using the same methods you would use for other 3D objects. (See the chapter on Using 3D Objects for more information.) However, the key difference is that AGV paths have two ends: respectively called the start and the end.
The start is where AGVs enter the path and the end is where AGVs leave the path. Although these two ends are connected, you can move them independently. Curved paths also have a radius, start angle, and sweep angle that you can use to control the arc of the path.
Another key difference is that you can set the direction that AGVs will travel on the paths. Each path has a directional arrow that indicates which direction AGVs can travel along that path:
You can also set a path to allow two-way travel, in which case the directional arrow will look like a hexagon:
To add a new path:
One way that you can join paths together is to bring the ends of two paths close enough to the point that they snap together.
Another method is to use the Join Paths object in the FlexSim library. Even though the Join Paths object is in the library, it actually functions more like a tool than a 3D object. When using the Join Paths tool, you can either join the ends of two paths or create junctions coming off one path to another.
To join two paths:
Like other 3D objects, AGV paths can be moved or resized using either the Quick Properties pane or your mouse. (See Moving, Rotating, Resizing 3D Objects for more information.)
However, the key way in which paths are different is that they have resizing handles at the start and end of the path. Curved paths have an additional green resizing handle that can be used to change the length of curved paths.
The following sections will explain the differences for using either a mouse or Quick Properties to move or resize paths.
In order to use your mouse to move or resize a path, you must first click once on the path to highlight it. After you've taken that step, use the steps listed in following table:
Task | Process | Demonstration |
---|---|---|
To move the entire path | Click anywhere on the path (except the endpoints or other handles) and drag the path to the desired position. | ![]() |
To move either the start or end of the path | Click the resizing handle on either the start or end of the path. Drag the start or end to the desired position. | ![]() |
To change the height (Z-axis) of the entire path | Click anywhere on the path (except on the resizing handles) and scroll the mouse wheel up or down until the path is at its desired height. | ![]() |
To change the height (Z-axis) of either the start or end of the path | Click the resizing handle on either the start or end of the path. Scroll the mouse wheel up or down until the start or end is at its desired height. | ![]() |
To change the length of the path | Click the resizing arrow on either the start or end of the path. Drag the start or end to the desired length. | ![]() |
You might want the location, rotation, and size of the path to be more precise in your model. In that case, it's generally a good practice to use your mouse to move or resize your path until it is in the approximate position or size you want it to be. Then you can use the Quick Properties pane to make it more precise.
When you highlight a path by clicking it, the right pane displays the Quick Properties for that specific path. The controls that appear in Quick Properties will vary depending on whether you clicked a straight or curved path. Straight paths have settings that adjust the position and size of the start and end of the path, as illustrated in the following image:
However, curved paths have boxes that adjust the radius, start angle, and sweep angle. The following image shows the Quick Properties for a curved path:
Try experimenting with some of the Quick Properties to get your path exactly the way it should be.
Curved paths have three additional properties:
You can use either the mouse or Quick Properties to change the radius, start angle, and sweep angle of curved paths. It's generally a good practice to use your mouse to move or resize your path until it is in the approximate position or size you want it to be. Then you can use the Quick Properties pane to make it more precise.
To change the radius, start angle, or sweep angle of a curved path, you must first click the path once to highlight it. After you've taken that step, use the steps listed in following table:
Task | Process | Demonstration |
---|---|---|
To change the radius | Click the green resizing handle in the middle of the curved path and drag the mouse to the desired radius. | ![]() |
To change the start angle | Click the red resizing handle on the start end of the curved path and drag the mouse until the edge of the start is at the desired angle. | ![]() |
To change the sweep angle | Click the red resizing handle on the end of the curved path and drag the mouse until the edge of the end is at the desired angle. | ![]() |
Every AGV path has a large arrow on it that indicates which direction AGVs will travel on the path:
To change the direction that AGVs travel on a path:
You can also make a path a two way path so that AGVs can travel in either direction on the path:
AGV paths can be copied and pasted using many of the same methods you would use to copy and paste other 3D objects. See Copying and Pasting 3D Objects and Properties for more information.