Define equipment units and run simulation

This section will proceed with the scenario developed in the previous step. Ensure that this scenario is currently active in MineTwin before moving forward.

We will now focus on expanding this scenario by adding equipment units. After we define the equipment units, we will do the final adjustments to the scenario. And run the first simulation experiment.

1. Define equipment units and their base locations

In an earlier stage of developing our scenario, we established various equipment types. Now, it’s time to create the individual equipment units. In MineTwin, the process of creating equipment units is more straightforward than creating types, since most of the equipment characteristics are already defined at the equipment type level.

To add a truck, do the following actions:

In the scenario tree view, navigate to the Trucks item
In the Trucks list view in the bottom middle part of the screen, click the + button to add a truck
In the truck’s Properties view select a type of the truck
In the same truck’s Properties view select its base node using the Select from 2D editor button:

The animation shows a user selecting a truck from a list, changing its properties, and configuring the truck type and base node on a scenario editor interface.

Here is how the Properties view of our newly created truck should look:

Properties panel for Truck 1 showing identifiers, node, idling policy, availability, and various specifications.

Similar to the truck, let us now add an excavator to our scenario but this time place it at the start of the block we created.

Here is how the Properties view of the newly created excavator should look:

Technical map interface showing a path with nodes, excavator details, and properties panel for configuration.

Note: You can click on the magnifyiing glass next to any parameter that corresponds to a node or a mine arc or mining segment in order to show it in the 2D editor and have MoineTwin navigate directly to it.

Let us continue adding equipment units by creating a charger. The process of creating a charger is very similar to creating a truck, and we will place the charger in the same place as the truck. For the charger, we also need to select an "Explosive Store" location. Please select the same node as the home node. The result of creating a charger can look like this:

Software interface showing a map with nodes, a changers list, and properties of "Charger 1" for configuration.

The last equipment unit we need to add is a drilling machine. The process is fully analogous to adding a charger, and the result is shown in the screenshot below:

Map interface displaying a drilling machine’s location and properties, with options for configuration and data input.

So, now we have created 4 equipment units. Note how they are shown in the scenario tree view:

A tree view listing equipment units with icons: Trucks (1), Excavator (1), Drilling machines (1), Loaders (0), Chargers (1), Dozers (0), Trains (0).

2. Review the scheduling mode and set the production target

Let us now hit the Check button again and see if there are any errors and warnings:

We still only see the one warning we had previously.

It states, "Scenario has scheduling mode 'By target', but there is no target records defined "

If you double-click on the error, it will take you to the scenario parameters page. Here, you can see the options available for 'Scheduling mode'

Screenshot of a Training Scenario properties window with scheduling parameters and options.

The scheduling mode is a crucial element that drives the MineTwin simulation. The default mode, By target, requires the user to input a production target and then allows MineTwin to utilize its built-in scheduler, enabling it to automatically assign tasks to all equipment to meet a specified production target.

Other scheduling modes like By task require users to set a precise working schedule for each piece of equipment. However, this approach is not suitable for our current tutorial.

Now, we need to define that target. To do so, click on the Target plan tree item at the very bottom of the scenario tree view under the Plan section. Then, set the following record to the target plan table. Set the target quality to 5% and the planned mass to 100,000 tons:

Scenario editor with tree view hierarchy and target plan table displaying dates and production data.

Note: The format of the date is dependent on your local machine settings and might look different compared to the screenshot above.

3. Run the first simulation

Now we have created the first version of scenario that can be run in simulation mode! Let us click the simulate button and see what happens:

MineTwin can switch to a single simulation run mode. The simulation can be started by clicking the Run button in the application toolbar:

Let us adjust the simulation view to enjoy seeing how our mining process is being simulated:

A simulation interface displays a progress of mining operations over time, from initial setup through to completion, with changes in production statistics and equipment utilization being updated gradually, concluding with a "Simulation completed" message.

Now that we have a running simulation, we can save it and continue with the next step. The resulting scenario can be downloaded here.