Using Drifting Operations in Workload Balancing

You can define a Multi-Cycle attribute on an operation in the Workload Balancing panel. Sometimes the end time of the operations exceeds the root system's cycle time. In this case, the operation and the following operations in the sequence are allowed to drift to other systems depending on the product flow.

Before you begin: Load the following system structure: a root system, with three subsystems S1, S2, and S3. Subsystem S1 has three operations A, B, and C. The other subsystems have no operations. Other characteristics include:
  • The cycle time of the root system is 20sec.
  • Product flow is defined from system S1 to S2, and from S2 to S3.
  • Time constraint is defined from operation A to B, and from operation B to C.
  • Operation durations are 10 sec for operation A, 20sec for B and 15sec for C.
  1. Select the root System in the tree.


  2. From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Workload Balancing .
    The Workload Balancing panel appears.



  3. Right-click operation B in the panel and select Multi-Cycle.
    The multicycle attribute is assigned to operation B and the following operations in the sequence (in this case, operation C). Operations B and C are split to respect the cycle time and drift on to systems S2 and S3. The drifting operations are colored violet.



  4. Select operation C.
    The rectangle representing operation C changes from dark blue to light blue. It is split between systems S2 and S3 as shown by the solid light blue rectangles.

    Operation B is split between systems S1 and S2.

    Rectangles that are transparent mean that the operation or a portion of the operation is not used on the system.



  5. From the Authoring section of the action bar, click Process Gantt .
  6. Check the durations, begin times, end times, and utilization of the systems and operations.



  7. Close the Gantt chart.
  8. In Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Digital Manufacturing Apps Common Services > Manufacturing Planning Apps Common Services > Process Gantt, select the Display product flow on cycle time option.
  9. Open the Gantt chart again and check the new durations, begin times, end times, and utilization for the systems and operations.



    Operations B and C are split and have drifted on to systems S2 and S3.

  10. From the Tools section of the action bar, click B.I. Essentials .
    The B.I. Essentials list appears.
  11. Click Systems Utilization from the list.
    The systems are highlighted according to a color code to show the range of utilization of the systems.



  12. In the Workload Balancing panel, right-click operation B or C and clear Multi-Cycle.
    The workload balancing returns to the initial state.