Modules and plug-ins > 2calculate

These are defined on the one hand via the technical data of the components and on the other hand via the defined approach positions within a reference cycle.

The Cranes plug-in offers the possibility to run these cycle time calculations, graphically supported, fast and easy to compare.

1.2 Features

Cranes is integrated as a plug-in in SimAssist.

In accordance with the basic modular concept, the full functionality of the SimAssist main menu is available and, for example, multiple instances of the plug-in can be created or the project can be saved and reopened at a later date.

There is also a connection to the PowerPoint and reporting interface for documentation.

1.3 Position in the overall software package

1.3.1 Parent module

The Cranes plug-in is part of the 2calculate module, which also includes the monorail and sorter plug-ins.

Cranes is available to you if you have licensed the module 2calculate for SimAssist.

1.3.2 Links to other plug-ins

The Cranes plug-in provides a link to the PowerPoint and Reporting plug-ins. Thus, the results of the calculation from the RBG plug-in can be converted into a presentation or a report.

2. Interface and layout

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Figure 1 - Interface Cranes

The structure of the Cranes plug-in is divided into 3 sections (see Figure 1). In the upper area is the menu. The individual buttons are explained in more detail in the course of this help file.

Below that is the Parameters section, where you can specify custom parameters for the Crane and the Warehouse.

Most of the plug-in space is used for the workspace. This can contain one or more tabs (New page 1). Each of these tabs is divided into the elements Points, Cycle and Details.

At the bottom of the workspace is the chart area with the visualization of the created elements.

This area is interactive, i.e. it is also possible to add additional points or edit existing ones via the context menu.

3. Handling

The individual control elements are listed and explained below.

3.1 Menu

In the table below, the buttons of the menu (see Figure 2) are listed and explained.

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Figure 2 - RBG Menu

Button	Description
	Adds a new tab to the working area
	Copies the currently selected tab in the working area and adds the tab
	Deletes the currently selected tab from the working area
	Opens a dialog to rename the currently selected tab
	Enables / disables aligning elements on the grid in the chart area
	Enables / disables the display of coordinates of the elements in the chart area

3.2 Parameters

The table below lists and explains the entries in the Parameter field (see Figure 3).

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Figure 3 - Parameters

Parameter	Description
Crane parameters
Crane	Name of the Crane
Fork acceleration (Empty) [m/s²]	The acceleration of the fork moving along the Z axis without load in [m/s²]
Fork acceleration (Loaded) [m/s²]	The acceleration of the fork moving along the Z axis with load in [m/s²]
Fork positioning time [s]	The seeking time after the crane travels along the Z axis in [s]
Fork velocity (Empty) [m/s]	The velocity of the fork without load in [m/s]
Fork velocity (Loaded) [m/s]	The velocity of the fork with load in [m/s]
Hoisting acceleration [m/s²]	The acceleration of the crane hoisting along the Y axis in [m/s²]
Hoisting seeking time [s]	The seeking time after the crane hoists along the Y axis in [s]
Hoisting velocity [m/s]	The velocity of the crane hoisting along the Y axis in [m/s]
Travel acceleration [m/s²]	The acceleration of the crane traveling along the X axis in [m/s²]
Travel seeking time [s]	The seeking time after the crane travels along the X axis in [s]
Travel velocity [m/s]	The velocity of the crane moving along the X axis in [m/s]
Warehouse parameters
Warehouse	Name of the Warehouse
Aisle height [m]	The height of an aisle in [m]
Aisle width [m]	The width of an aisle in [m]
Compartment depth [m]	The depth of a single compartment in an aisle in [m]
Rack height [m]	The height of the rack in [m]
Rack width [m]	The width of the rack in [m]

3.3 Working area

3.3.1 Points

In this section, points can be created using the Add button and then their coordinates entered in the columns X and Y (see Figure 4).

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Figure 4 - Adding points

3.3.2 Cycle

In the Cycle section, cycles can be created from existing points. To do this, first select the desired point from the drop down box and then click on the Add button.

Use the drop downs in the Action and Depth columns to configure each cycle (see Figures 5a and 5b). As soon as a cycle is created, the corresponding point appears in the chart area.

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Figure 5 - Set cycle

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Figure 5a - Set action

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Figure 5b - Set depth

3.3.3 Details

In this area, the details of the created cycles as well as the times for travel and lifting processes are listed in a table. Below, the key figures total time and performance are displayed (see Figure 6).

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Figure 6 - Details

3.3.4 Chart area

The chart area displays an interactive diagram. By holding down the mouse button the chart can be moved as desired, with pressed [CTRL] key and by moving the mouse wheel at the same time you can zoom in or out.

A chart can be created in two ways. Once, as described in 3.3.2 cycle and once via the context menu of the diagram (see Figure 7).

If you click on the entry Add drive/takeover/drop off point, it will be added to the chart at the mouse cursor position and added to the list of the Points, Cycle and Details area.

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Figure 7 - Adding a point via context menu

If you click on a point with the right mouse button, further actions can be performed (see Figure 8).

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Figure 8 - Context menu of a point