The source is used to create the flow items that travel through a model. Each source creates one class of flow item and can then assign properties such as labels or color to the flow item it creates. Sources can create flow item per an inter-arrival rate, per a scheduled arrival list, or simply from a defined arrival sequence.
The source is a fixed resource, although it does not receive flow items. Instead it creates the flow items and releases them. For that reason, it has no Input properties.
The source can operate in one of three possible modes:
For information on events, see the Event Listening page.
The source uses the standard events that are common to all fixed resources. See Fixed Resources - Events for an explanation of these events.
The source has the following additional events:
This event occurs once for each flow item at the time the item is created. The item is created inside the source, but without triggering the On Entry event. This is the first opportunity to get a reference to the created item. Any labels defined in columns in the Arrivals table have not yet been added to the item at this point. This event is immediately followed by the On Exit event unless the item's release is delayed by a downstream object.
It has the following parameters:
Event Parameter | Type | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Created Item | Object | A reference to the flow item created by the source. |
Row Number | int | The row number of the row in the Arrivals table where this arrival was defined. This will be 0 when using the Inter-Arrival Time Mode. |
This event only fires if the source's Arrival Style is set to Inter-Arrival Time. This event once for each flow item that is created. The inter arrival time event is fired immediately after the On Reset of the source and immediately before each On Exit event.
This event has no parameters.
The return value of the Inter-Arrival Time field is a number which is the model time until the next flow item is created.
For statistical purposes, the source will be in one of the following states at various points during a simulation run. The current state can be viewed by clicking on the object and then viewing the Statistics panel in Properties.
There are no flow items in the source. It is waiting until its next creation event to create flow item.
Flow items have been created and are waiting to leave the source.
The source tracks the following statistics. These can be viewed by clicking on the object and then viewing the Statistics panel in Properties.
The total number of items that have exited the source.
If the source is blocked and items cannot immediately exit the source when they are created, the time the item remains in the source before exiting will be recorded.
The Source object uses the following properties panels:
The Source object shares several properties with all fixed resources:
Additionally, the Source object uses the following properties:
Property | Type |
---|---|
ArrivalSchedule | |
ArrivalSequence | |
ArrivalStyle | Options |
FlowItemClass | Options |
InterArrivalTime | Unit Code |
RepeatTable | Boolean |
TimeZeroArrival | Boolean |