Autodesk FlexSim enables manufacturers to analyze and experiment with their processes in a virtual environment, reducing the time and costs associated with physical testing. Inventory, assembly, transportation, and production can all be modeled and evaluated within a simulation, helping organizations make informed decisions to maintain or improve efficiency while minimizing costs.
Autodesk FlexSim for 3D Simulation
Autodesk FlexSim is an easy-to-use 3D discrete event simulation software designed to model, analyze, and optimize production, logistics, and supply chain processes.
By creating accurate digital models of real-world systems, FlexSim enables organizations to evaluate alternative scenarios, reduce decision risk, maximize asset utilization, eliminate waste, and improve throughput before implementing changes in the real world.
Whether validating a new production line, optimizing warehouse operations, or designing an automated material handling system, Autodesk FlexSim provides a risk-free virtual environment to answer “what-if” questions, account for real-world variability, and support data-driven decision making.
Behind its intuitive drag-and-drop interface lies a fast and powerful simulation engine, allowing users to build accurate 3D models quickly while taking advantage of advanced analysis, experimentation, and optimization capabilities.
FlexSim’s 3D models help you emulate the look and feel of the real system, making it easier to visualize and understand system behavior.
Model Layout
Autodesk FlexSim makes it as easy as possible to replicate the look of your system while preserving the details necessary for accurate analysis. Just use the simple drag-and-drop controls to place objects and resources directly into the 3D environment—no post-processing needed!
Our 3-axis layout and CAD drawing import help you maintain the exact spatial relationships in the actual system, so travel and transport times will be accurate.
Import custom 3D objects to replicate the look and feel of the actual system. Plus all realistic visual effects, like shadows and lighting effects, are ready to go by default.
Model Building
Autodesk FlexSim toes the line between ease-of-use and capability to model even the most complex systems.
The Standard Object Library contains a variety of objects that be used to immediately build models. Customization is simple—just choose from the preconfigured behaviors, mix-and-match options, and even create your own behaviors.
A wide range of drop-down lists and properties will allow you to quickly customize individual objects, triggers, and system properties. Simply check a box or choose a “picklist” option, and your resource will gain the logic and behavior to emulate any real-world situation.
Process Flow is one of our latest tools and a real game-changer. Use pre-built activity blocks to build basic or complex logic in a familiar flowcharting environment. It keeps the logic in one convenient place and scales well with any model as it changes and evolves.
Visual Validation
The first level of model validation, where you visually confirm that the system is working—or not working—as it was intended to.
- Model a real system in our native 3D virtual environment.
- Account for real-world variability with a vast array of statistical distributions and random numbers.
- Run simulation to test “what if” scenarios—without needing to change things in the real world.
Additional Customization
Autodesk FlexSim comes with a powerful scripting language, FlexScript; this C-like language is the gateway to hundreds of modeling commands that will allow you to write simple expressions that do incredible things. Furthermore, the software features an open architecture with full C++ integration, enabling virtually unlimited customization and extension.
Distribution Fitting
Autodesk FlexSim comes packaged with ExpertFit, the industry standard in distribution-fitting software.
ExpertFit will take the data you’ve collected in the real world and accurately determine which probability distribution best represents the data. It comes with 40 distributions and four goodness-of-fit tests.
Model Analysis
Once you’re ready to simulation using your model, our full suite of analysis features will help you get a deeper understanding of what’s going on.
- A deep roster of charts and graphs to help you visualize data from a simulation run.
- The ability to track a wide range of data points and then export to your favorite spreadsheet application.
- Greater flexibility for data gathering through powerful tools like the Stats Collector object and Zone activity.
Optimization
Test “what if” scenarios to find the best possible choices to make in the real world.
Test Multiple Scenarios
The Experimenter tool allows you to test multiple scenarios and compare the results. Replications are distributed across CPU cores, enabling hundreds of simulation runs across multiple scenarios to be completed in minutes rather than hours or days. The Experimenter also includes report generation and control over variables and performance measures.
FlexSim + OptQuest
If you want to add optimization to your toolkit, Autodesk FlexSim is fully integrated with the OptQuest engine. This powerful optimization package enables you to define variables and constraints for your model and evaluate hundreds of potential solutions. You can also design experiments with multiple objectives to account for competing system requirements, helping you identify the best possible solution for your process.
Flexcon’s experience gained through simulation, analysis, and optimization projects has also led to the development of advanced FlexSim add-ons used by companies and system integrators worldwide, including Flexcon Emulation for Virtual Commissioning, Flexcon Helios for energy consumption analysis and sustainability, and Flexcon Eidos, a solution based on an MCP Server for integrating AI Agents into industrial modeling, simulation, and analysis processes.
Autodesk FlexSim + Industry 4.0
Autodesk FlexSim is leading the way in many of the vital areas of Industry 4.0. This industry-leading 3D simulation modeling and analysis software provides a strong foundation to support your digital transformation. Autodesk FlexSim helps improve every stage of your production process by enabling you to evaluate, optimize, and validate changes before implementation.
How does FlexSim 3D Simulation fit in with the Pillars of Industry 4.0?
Simulation
Simulation modeling allows you to develop a computer model of your real-world facility and then use that model to simulate its operations over time. These insights are invaluable—you can answer important “what-if” questions about the system without disruption. Simulation provides a reliable foundation for optimizing processes and supporting Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Digital Twin (System Integration)
Industry 4.0 is focused on improving connectivity between systems in a production environment. The digital twin bridges the gap between the physical and digital world. This virtual model is based on the current state of the system, evaluates future possibilities, and supports optimized business decisions. Autodesk FlexSim helps organizations develop and analyze digital twins to improve system performance and operational visibility. Learn more about digital twin solutions.
PLC Emulation (Virtual Commissioning)
Autodesk FlexSim’s PLC emulation capabilities add a new level of understanding to your production facility and its autonomous systems. In addition, you can use Autodesk FlexSim to draft, test, and validate the PLC logic that runs your production systems, allowing you to improve operational efficiency before deployment. By connecting real PLC logic to the simulation model, Autodesk FlexSim also enables virtual commissioning, allowing you to validate system behavior before implementation.
Looking for an even more comprehensive emulation solution? Discover how Flexcon Emulation supports advanced virtual commissioning projects.
Cloud Computing
Cloud technologies play an increasingly important role in modern manufacturing by connecting design, project execution, simulation, and operational data. As part of the Autodesk ecosystem, Autodesk FlexSim integrates with cloud-based solutions such as Autodesk Construction Cloud and Autodesk Tandem, helping organizations connect simulation with project execution, digital twin monitoring, and operational decision-making.
In addition, Autodesk FlexSim‘s scalable architecture allows cloud-based model management and simulation using distributed and parallel CPUs.
Extended Reality (VR and AR)
FlexSim has long supported Virtual Reality (VR) since its adoption as a widely used technology in industry.
With applications in communication, training, maintenance, and more, it has provided users with a deeper understanding of manufacturing processes through immersive visualization.
Big Data + Data Analytics
The data generated by Autodesk FlexSim provides valuable insights into current system performance and helps predict how a system may behave under different operating conditions. As part of a broader data analytics strategy, these insights support more informed decision-making and continuous process improvement. Existing operational data can also be imported into Autodesk FlexSim simulation models to further analyze system performance and evaluate alternative scenarios.
Industries
Manufacturing
Material Handling
Autodesk FlexSim is the best choice for modeling large, complex material handling, manufacturing, and automation systems. The latest updates deliver a high level of detail and realism in material handling simulation models. No simulation software offers a better value for material handling simulation.
Healthcare
Autodesk FlexSim also includes a specialized simulation environment designed specifically for healthcare applications. Autodesk FlexSim Healthcare supports hospitals and healthcare providers by helping them model, analyze, and optimize patient-centered processes.
Warehousing
Autodesk FlexSim allows organizations to analyze and experiment with their warehousing processes in a virtual environment, reducing the time and costs associated with physical testing. Storage systems, loading docks, conveyors, AGVs, and personnel can all be quickly modeled and adjusted within the simulation, helping companies maximize resource utilization and improve operational efficiency.
Factory
Simulation technology allows manufacturers to analyze and experiment with their processes in a virtual environment, reducing the time and costs associated with physical testing. With Autodesk FlexSim, materials, equipment, and personnel can all be modeled within the simulation, providing the insights needed to maintain or improve production while minimizing costs.
Airport
For airport operations, Autodesk FlexSim provides a virtual environment where organizations can analyze and experiment with their processes, reducing the time and costs associated with physical testing. Security checkpoints, gates, and baggage handling operations can all be modeled and evaluated within the simulation, helping airports maximize resource utilization while minimizing costs without compromising safety.
Products
Autodesk FlexSim General Purpose is the most powerful, capable, and easy-to-use 3D simulation software for modeling and improving existing and proposed systems. It provides a flexible simulation environment that enables organizations to model, analyze, and optimize processes across a wide range of industries before implementing changes in the real world.
Autodesk FlexSim Healthcare is a comprehensive and easy-to-use healthcare simulation environment built on Autodesk FlexSim, designed specifically for the unique challenges faced by complex healthcare facilities. It enables hospitals and healthcare providers to model, analyze, and improve patient flow and healthcare processes before implementing changes in the real world.