Producing AutoCAD factory layout drawings

Producing an AutoCAD factory layout drawing Page 1 of 13
Producing an AutoCAD factory layout

drawing
In general, existing AutoCAD drawings of facilities can be used for Factory Flow analyses.
Drawings created with FactoryCAD are particularly well-suited for use with Factory Flow, and the
functionality in Factory CAD is required for some advanced Factory Flow analyses.
Requirements for the layout drawing:
l The drawing scale must be 1:1 so that correct distances can be extracted.
l The drawing must contain sufficient detail for working with activity points and accurately
creating an aisle network .
Note: Additional detail can be valuable in interpreting the results and in visualizing flows.
However, increasing detail increases the size of the drawing file, which increases loading time
and execution time for many AutoCAD and Factory Flow functions.
Factory programs, including Factory Flow, can work with layout drawings based on either imperial
or metric linear units once you set the drawing distance unit.
Working with activity points in the layout drawing

Activity points are defined locations in the factory. They exist in the drawing as activity point
objects. You can
l Add an activity point to the drawing
l Add missing activity points to the drawing
l Delete an activity point from the drawing
l List selected activity point object data
l Scale activity points in the layout drawing
l Scale activity point text in the layout drawing
l Convert workcenter point blocks to activity point objects
l Reconcile activity points between the layout drawing and project
Adding activity points to the drawing

Activity points are defined locations in the factory. Activity points in the Factory Flow project file
must also exist in the factory drawing so that distances can be calculated and diagrams drawn.
To add an activity point to the layout drawing
1. Select Add Activity Point in one of these ways:
file://C:\Documents and Settings\ps11466\Local Settings\Temp\~hh25F3.htm 4/20/2007

From within the a. (If the Factory Flow menu item is not already visible)
AutoCAD window Make the Factory Flow menu item available.
b. From the Factory Flow menu, select Add Activity Point.
A prompt to select an insertion point appears at the

command line.
From within the Factory l From the Activity Points menu, select Add Activity
Flow window Point.
At the AutoCAD command line, a prompt to select an

insertion point appears.
2. Select an insertion point for the new activity point.
The Activity Point Object dialog box appears.
3. Specify activity point parameters and then click OK.
Adding missing activity points to the drawing

Activity points referenced in the project assembly/part routing data must be present in the layout
drawing before Factory Flow can calculate flow paths. With the Add Missing Activity Points to
Drawing command, you can add any missing activity points
1. Open the Factory Flow window.
2. On the Activity Points menu, select Add Missing Activity Points to Drawing.
Factory Flow searches the current AutoCAD drawing for the activity points referenced in the
assembly/part routing data. If all required activity points are present, a message appears saying
that Factory Flow is finished checking activity points. If any required activity points are
missing, Factory Flow displays the message "Missing activity points will now be inserted into
the drawing."
3. Click OK.
If there are no missing activity points, the message box closes and the routine ends.
If activity points are missing, the AutoCAD drawing window comes to the top, and a prompt
to insert the first missing activity point appears at the command line.
4. Specify the insertion point in one of these ways:
¡ Select a point on the drawing.
¡ At the command line, type the coordinates of the insertion point and then press Enter.
The activity point is inserted.

5. Repeat Step 4 until all missing activity points have been placed.
When all activity points have been placed, the Factory Flow window returns to the top and a
message appears saying that Factory Flow is finished checking activity points.
6. Click OK.
The message box closes and the routine ends.
Deleting activity points from the layout drawing

You can simply erase activity point objects from within AutoCAD as you would erase any
AutoCAD object. You can also
l Delete activity points selected from a list
l Delete all activity points
l Delete activity points filtered from an AutoCAD selection set
To delete activity points selected from a list
2. From the Activity Points menu, select Delete Activity Points.
The Delete Activity Points dialog box appears. It contains a list of all the activity point objects
in the currently open facility layout drawing.
3. Select the checkbox next to each activity point you want to delete.
4. Click Delete.
To delete all activity points
3. Click Delete All.
To delete activity points filtered from an AutoCAD selection set

3. Click Delete From AutoCAD Drawing.
The AutoCAD drawing window comes to the top, and a prompt to select objects appears at the
command line.
4. Make your selection.
Tip: You can use any AutoCAD selection method, including a crossing window or polygon.
5. Press Enter.
Activity points included in the selection set are deleted and the Factory Flow window returns
to the top.
Listing activity point object data

You can quickly generate a simple list of activity point object information from among objects you
select in the AutoCAD drawing window.
To list selected activity point object data
2. On the Activity Points menu, select List Activity Points.
The AutoCAD window comes to the top and a prompt to select objects appears at the
command line.
3. Select the activity point objects to include in the list.
Tip: You can use any AutoCAD selection method, including a crossing window or polygon.
Factory Flow filters the selection set to find activity point objects.
4. Press Enter.
The Factory Flow window returns to the top and a new window that lists the selected activity
points is displayed.
Scaling activity points in the layout drawing

You may want to adjust the size of activity points in the layout drawing so that they are more
appropriately sized for the zoom level. You can optionally scale activity point text separately from
other activity point geometry.
To scale activity points in the layout drawing

2. From the Factory Flow menu bar, select Activity Points > Scale Activity Points.
The Scale Activity Points dialog box appears.
3. Type a new activity point scale factor.
Note: The Scale Activity Points function scales activity point objects relative to a size of 1
drawing unit.
4. Click OK.
To specify the scale for activity point text
2. From the menu bar, select Activity Points > Scale Activity Point Text.
A dialog box for specifying activity point text scale appears.
3. Type a value for the scale. Larger scale factors create larger text.
4. Click OK to close the dialog box.
The new text scale factor is applied to activity point objects in the current drawing.
Reconciling activity points between the project and drawing

Activity points in the project data and activity point objects in the layout drawing are separate
entities; Factory Flow coordinates the data and drawing to perform its analyses. In the Activity Point
Reconciliation dialog box you can
l List information about activity points
l Zoom to activity points in the layout drawing
l Add activity points to match the drawing and project
l Delete activity points that exist only in the drawing
To list information about activity points
1. Open the Activity Point Reconciliation dialog box.
a. Open the Factory Flow window.
b. From the Factory Flow menu bar, select Activity Points > Reconcile Activity Points.
The Activity Point Reconciliation dialog box appears.
2. In any of the activity point lists, select the box next to each activity point whose information

you want to see.
3. At the bottom of your activity point list, click List Points.
The List Activity Point dialog box appears, containing information about the selected points.
To zoom to activity points in the layout drawing
2. In any drawing activity list, select the box next to each activity point to which you want to
zoom.
3. At the bottom of your activity point list, click Zoom Points.
The AutoCAD drawing window comes to the top, zoomed to include the activity points that
were marked. The marked activity points are highlighted (appear with short dashed linetype).
To add activity points to match the drawing and project
2. On the Discrepancies page, select boxes next to activity points in one of the following lists:
¡ In the Activity Points in Drawing Only list, to add selected activity points to the project.
¡ In the Activity Points in Project Only list, to add selected activity points to the drawing.
3. Depending on which list you marked in Step 2, click one of the following buttons:
¡ At the bottom of the Activity Points in Drawing Only list, click Add to Project.
Factory Flow adds the marked activity points to the project database.
¡ At the bottom of the Activity Points in Project Only list, click Add to Drawing.
The AutoCAD drawing window comes to the top, and at the command line you are
prompted to specify the location for the marked activity points.
To delete activity points that exist only in the drawing
2. On the Discrepancies page, select boxes next to activity points in the Activity Points in
Drawing Only list that you want to delete from the drawing.
3. At the bottom of the list, click Delete from Drawing.
Factory Flow deletes the activity points from the drawing.
Exporting and importing activity points

It may sometimes be useful to exchange selected activity point data with an external application, or
to copy activity point locations from one drawing to another. You can
l Export activity point location and type information to an external file
l Import activity point location and type information from an external file
To export activity point location and type information to an external file
2. From the Activity Points menu, select Export Activity Points.
The Export Activity Points dialog box appears.
3. Specify the folder and name of the file you want to save.
Note: A .WCP file name extension is added.
4. Select the source activity points to export.
l Export activity points from project exports activity point information contained in the
Factory Flow project (.FLO) file
l Export activity points from drawing exports activity point information from activity
point objects in the current AutoCAD layout drawing.
5. Click Export.
The activity point data is written to a comma-delimited text file.
To import activity point location and type information from an external file
2. From the Activity Points menu, select Import Activity Points.
The Import Activity Points dialog box appears.
3. Specify the folder and name of the file you want to load.
4. Select the import options you want.
Option Description
Add new activity points to Adds new activity points from the .WCP file to the project (.FLO
project file).
Update activity points Overwrites activity points in the project (.FLO file) with activity
existing in project points of the same name in the .WCP file.
Add new activity points to Adds new activity points from the .WCP file to the layout
drawing drawing.
Update activity points Overwrites activity points in the layout drawing with activity
existing in drawing points of the same name in the .WCP file.

5. Click Import.
The activity point data is written to the project and drawing as specified.
Note: If the project or drawing already contains an activity point with the same name as
an activity point to be imported, a dialog box appears prompting you to confirm
replacement of the existing activity point.
Converting workcenter point blocks to activity point objects

Before Factory Flow Release 6.3, flow line origins and destinations were identified by workcenter
point blocks. Factory Flow now uses activity point objects to designate these locations. You can use
the following procedure to convert the old blocks to objects that will work with the new Factory
Flow.
To convert workcenter point blocks to activity point objects
2. From the Factory Flow menu bar, select Activity Points > Convert Workcenter Point Blocks to
Activity Point Objects.
A message asking for confirmation appears.
3. Click Yes.
Factory Flow finds all workcenter point blocks in the current drawing and converts them to
activity point objects.
Creating an aisle network

Aisle networks identify possible paths for material handling equipment. Aisle networks can comprise
standard AutoCAD lines, aisle objects created in Factory CAD, or a combination of lines and aisle
objects. Factory Flow uses the aisle networks to compute and draw actual path flow paths, and to
create aisle congestion diagrams.
Each material handling device has a specified drawing layer on which it will search for an aisle
network. The default layer is CIMFF_ACTPATH. Methods for specifying aisle and network
characteristics depend on whether the aisle is a line or a Factory CAD aisle object:
If the aisle network comprises You can

AutoCAD lines Draw aisle lines
Join activity points to an aisle network
Specify aisle direction
Scale one way path arrows

Export an aisle network

Factory CAD aisle objects Note: The following links are to the Factory CAD help system:
Add an aisle object
Draw aisle objects in 2D or 3D
Create an aisle network object
Use the right-click menu for aisle objects
Use the right-click menu for aisle network objects
Export an aisle network
Drawing aisle lines

You can create an aisle network consisting of AutoCAD lines.
To draw aisle lines
1. Set the current layer in one of the following ways:
¡ From the Factory Flow menu, select Go to Aisle Network Layer.
¡ Use any of the various AutoCAD methods to create and make current the layer on which
you want to draw an aisle network.
Important: If the material handling device whose aisle network you want to draw
uses a layer other than CIMFF_ACTPATH, ensure that you create the network on the
appropriate layer.
2. Draw lines (not polylines) to represent aisles along which material handling devices using this
network may travel.
Note: Aisle lines must touch each other to create the nodes used to compute shortest path
distance.

Tip: Connecting lines exactly, rather than running them slightly beyond each other, can reduce
computation time.
Note: Aisle segments can be color coded to indicate one way travel.
Joining activity points to an aisle network
Joining activity points to an aisle network

You can use Factory Flow commands to join activity points to aisle networks on all layers used by
material handling equipment (as specified in material handling equipment properties), and to unjoin
activity points from aisle networks.
To join activity points to an aisle network
2. Join activity points in one of the following ways:
To join these activity Do this

points
All activity points in l On the Paths menu, point to AutoJoin and then choose AutoJoin
the drawing Activity Points in Current Drawing.
Every activity point in the drawing is connected by an aisle

segment to the nearest aisle on each material handling
equipment layer.
Activity points in the l On the Paths menu, point to AutoJoin and then choose AutoJoin
drawing that are also Activity Points in Current Project.
in the project
Factory Flow draws segments from activity points in the
drawing that are referenced in the assembly/part routing data to
the nearest aisle on each material handling equipment layer.
To unjoin activity points from an aisle network
2. On the Paths menu, point to AutoJoin and then choose AutoUnjoin Activity Points.
Aisle connection segments created by the AutoJoin commands are removed.
Specifying aisle direction
Specifying aisle direction

Through the use of color, aisle segments comprising simple AutoCAD lines can indicate direction
information.
For aisles comprising simple line path segments, in the One Way Path Identification dialog box you
can

l Specify colors to indicate aisle direction
l Display one-way path arrows
l Hide one-way path arrows
You can also modify simple line path segments:
l Assign or remove one-way path color for an aisle segment
l Reverse one-way path direction for selected segments
To specify colors to indicate aisle direction
1. From the AutoCAD menu bar, select Factory Flow > One Way Path.
The One Way Path Identification dialog box appears.
2. Specify a color to indicate a one way aisle direction of up or to the right (in a top view of the
layout) in one of these ways:
¡ Type a color name or number in the Up or Right Color box.
Note: Valid color names are red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta, and white. Valid
color numbers are 1 through 255
¡ Pick a color from the Select Color dialog box.
a. Click Up or Right Color.
The Select Color dialog box appears.
b. Click a color sample.
The color's name or number appears in the Color box.
c. Click OK.
The Select Color dialog box closes and the selected color name or number appears
in the Up or Right Color box.
3. Repeat Step 2 for Down or Left Color.
4. Click OK.
To display one-way path arrows
2. Select Add One Way Arrows and click OK.

To hide one-way path arrows
2. Select Delete One Way Arrows and click OK.
To assign or remove one way path color for an aisle segment
Note: Before you can use this routine to apply colors to aisle segment lines, you must have already
specified colors to indicate aisle direction as described above, and you must have already run a Flow
calculation.
1. From the AutoCAD menu bar, select Factory Flow > Assign One Way Path.
At the command line, a prompt to Add, change, or remove direction of line appears.
2. Click the aisle segment you want to modify.
With each click, the segment cycles to the next of three states:
¡ The Up or Right color specified in the One Way Path Identification dialog box .
¡ The Down or Left color specified in the One Way Path Identification dialog box.
¡ The color bylayer.
To reverse one way path direction for selected segments
1. From the AutoCAD menu bar, select Factory Flow > Reverse One Way Path.
At the command line, a prompt to Select the paths to reverse direction on appears.
2. Select the aisle segments whose direction you want to reverse.
Tip: You can use a crossing window or other quick selection method to select aisle segments.
Factory Flow filters the selection set; only aisle segments that currently have a specified one
way color are affected.
3. Press Enter.
Scaling one way path arrows
Scaling one way path arrows

You can adjust the size of arrows that indicate aisle direction.
To scale one way path arrows
1. Open the One Way Arrow Scale dialog box.

a. Open the layout drawing in AutoCAD.
b. (If the Factory Flow menu item is not already visible) Make the Factory Flow menu
item available.
c. From the menu bar, select Factory > Factory Flow.
Factory Flow appears on the menu bar.
d. From the menu bar, select Factory Flow > Scale One Way Path Arrows.
2. In Arrow Scale Factor, type a factor by which to scale the one way arrows.
Note: The factor is relative to the current arrow size.
3. Click OK.
Exporting an aisle network

You can export aisle network information from a layout drawing to a text-only .NET (aisle network)
file. The .NET file is used for importing aisle network information to external programs that know
how to read the .NET format.
To export an aisle network to a .NET file
1. Open the AutoCAD layout drawing containing the aisle network you want to export.
2. Start Factory Flow and open the Factory Flow editor.
3. From the Factory Flow menu bar, select Paths > Export path network.
The Export Aisle Network dialog box appears.
4. Enter the name of the .NET file to create in one of these ways:
l In File name, type the path and name of the file to create.
l Click Browse to open a file browsing dialog box, then navigate to the folder where you
want to create the .NET file and type or select a file name.
5. To specify the layer containing the aisle network you want to export, select a layer from the
Layer drop-down list.
6. In Aisle Direction, select one of the two choices:
l Include includes aisle direction information, which limits all travel along one-way aisles
to the specified direction.
l Ignore ignores aisle direction information, thereby treating all aisles as bi-directional.
7. Click Export.

Producing AutoCAD factory layout drawings

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Producing an AutoCAD factory layout drawing Page 1 of 13

Producing an AutoCAD factory layout

Requirements for the layout drawing:

Working with activity points in the layout drawing

l Add an activity point to the drawing

l Add missing activity points to the drawing

l Delete an activity point from the drawing

l List selected activity point object data

l Scale activity points in the layout drawing

l Scale activity point text in the layout drawing

l Convert workcenter point blocks to activity point objects

l Reconcile activity points between the layout drawing and project

Adding activity points to the drawing

To add an activity point to the layout drawing

1. Select Add Activity Point in one of these ways:

file://C:\Documents and Settings\ps11466\Local Settings\Temp\~hh25F3.htm 4/20/2007

b. From the Factory Flow menu, select Add Activity Point.

A prompt to select an insertion point appears at the

At the AutoCAD command line, a prompt to select an

2. Select an insertion point for the new activity point.

The Activity Point Object dialog box appears.

3. Specify activity point parameters and then click OK.

Working with activity points in the layout drawing

Adding missing activity points to the drawing

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

4. Specify the insertion point in one of these ways:

¡ Select a point on the drawing.

The activity point is inserted.

file://C:\Documents and Settings\ps11466\Local Settings\Temp\~hh25F3.htm 4/20/2007

The message box closes and the routine ends.

Deleting activity points from the layout drawing

l Delete activity points selected from a list

l Delete all activity points

l Delete activity points filtered from an AutoCAD selection set

To delete activity points selected from a list

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

2. From the Activity Points menu, select Delete Activity Points.

To delete all activity points

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

2. From the Activity Points menu, select Delete Activity Points.

3. Click Delete All.

To delete activity points filtered from an AutoCAD selection set

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

2. From the Activity Points menu, select Delete Activity Points.

file://C:\Documents and Settings\ps11466\Local Settings\Temp\~hh25F3.htm 4/20/2007

3. Click Delete From AutoCAD Drawing.

4. Make your selection.

Working with activity points in the layout drawing

Listing activity point object data

To list selected activity point object data

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

2. On the Activity Points menu, select List Activity Points.

3. Select the activity point objects to include in the list.

Working with activity points in the layout drawing

Scaling activity points in the layout drawing

To scale activity points in the layout drawing

1. Open the Factory Flow window.

file://C:\Documents and Settings\ps11466\Local Settings\Temp\~hh25F3.htm 4/20/2007

The Scale Activity Points dialog box appears.

3. Type a new activity point scale factor.

To specify the scale for activity point text

1. Open the Factory Flow window.